Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will not take part in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, despite receiving several offers from participating teams. The announcement puts an end to speculation surrounding a potential return to the tournament, especially after FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at the possibility of Ronaldo’s involvement following Al-Nassr’s failure to qualify.
Now aged 40, Ronaldo is nearing the end of his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, which expires at the end of June. Although a number of Club World Cup contenders approached the five-time Ballon d’Or winner with transfer proposals, Ronaldo made it clear that he has opted out.
“I won’t be at the Club World Cup,” Ronaldo stated. “Some teams approached me, with some offers being more sensible than others, but it’s impossible to pursue every opportunity. You can’t catch every ball.”
The legendary forward added fuel to transfer speculation in May when he posted on social media that “the chapter is over” following Al-Nassr’s final league game of the season. Since then, fans and analysts alike have been closely watching for signs of his next move.
Ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final against Spain on Sunday, Ronaldo hinted that a final decision about his future is “almost made”, although he stopped short of revealing his next destination.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in early 2023, shortly after the termination of his contract with Manchester United. Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, he has produced impressive personal numbers, scoring 99 goals and contributing 19 assists across 111 appearances, including 35 goals in 41 games last season. However, despite his efforts, Al-Nassr failed to secure any trophies during his tenure.
Meanwhile, excitement is building around the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off on June 14 in the United States. For the first time, the tournament will feature 32 of the world’s top clubs, significantly expanding from the previous 7-team format. The month-long spectacle promises more matches, more stars, and more goals.
Ronaldo has a celebrated history in the Club World Cup. He has won the tournament four times and is currently the competition’s all-time leading scorer, with seven goals in just eight appearances. However, with this year’s expanded format offering significantly more opportunities for players to score, Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record is now at serious risk of being overtaken.
As fans await confirmation of his next move, one thing is certain: while Ronaldo won’t be on the field during this summer’s Club World Cup, his legacy in the tournament remains a towering benchmark—and a tempting target for the next generation of stars.
