Cristiano Ronaldo has put an end to the speculation surrounding his participation in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Speaking ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final against Spain, the football superstar confirmed that he will not take part in the tournament, dispelling rumors about a possible transfer to a club competing in the event.
Despite receiving numerous offers from various clubs, Ronaldo made it clear that he has decided against joining any team just to participate in the Club World Cup. His contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr is set to expire at the end of June, and this situation has fueled widespread rumors about his future in club football. Earlier this year, a social media post from Ronaldo hinting that “the chapter is over” intensified speculation about a move, with particular attention on a potential transfer to Al Hilal, a club that is competing in the upcoming tournament.
Ronaldo stressed that his decision not to participate is influenced by his desire to think beyond short-term gains. He made it clear that although there have been contacts and offers from different teams, he does not want to sign a short-term contract merely to feature in the competition. “You have to think about short, medium and long term,” he said, explaining his approach. Ronaldo acknowledged that while some of the offers made sense, others did not align with his plans, emphasizing that it is impossible to seize every opportunity.
The Portuguese forward’s future remains uncertain, but he indicated that a final decision regarding his next move is imminent. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Al Nassr are keen to extend his contract and are working on a new deal to retain him for the next season.
Ronaldo has also attracted interest from several other clubs in recent weeks. Moroccan side Wydad and Brazilian teams Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo, and Fluminense are reportedly among the clubs that have reached out to him about potentially playing in the Club World Cup.
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s focus remains on finding a stable, long-term situation rather than making a quick move for the sake of participating in the tournament.
