Football

Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al Nassr's Asian Champions League opener against Al Shorta in Iraq has cast a shadow over the tournament's launch. The Portuguese superstar, who joined the Saudi Arabian club in January, was diagnosed with a viral infection on Sunday and will miss the match.Ronaldo's absence is a significant blow to Al Nassr's hopes of winning the Asian Champions League, a trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career. The 39-year-old forward has been in impressive form since joining the Saudi Pro League, scoring five goals in four appearances.Al Nassr will be hoping to bounce back from Ronaldo's absence and make a strong start to their Champions League campaign. The Saudi Arabian club has invested heavily in recent years, bringing in high-profile players such as Ronaldo and Brazilian winger Talisca.The Asian Champions League has undergone a major revamp this year, with the introduction of a new format that splits the 24 teams into two groups of East and West. Each team will play eight different opponents in the group stage, with the top eight teams from each zone advancing to the last 16.The final stages of the tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, with the winners taking home at least $12 million. Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Neymar's Al Hilal are among the favorites to win the tournament.Despite Ronaldo's absence, Al Hilal remains a formidable force. The Saudi Arabian champions have signed Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo from Manchester City and boast a star-studded squad that includes Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic.The defending champions, Al Ain, will also be looking to make a strong title defense. The United Arab Emirates club, coached by Argentina great Hernan Crespo, defeated Japan's Yokohama F-Marinos in last year's final.In the East zone, clubs from Japan have been the most successful in recent years. Yokohama F-Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale, and Vissel Kobe will all be hoping to challenge for the title. South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Ulsan are also among the contenders.The Asian Champions League is set to provide plenty of excitement and drama, with some of the world's best players on display. Despite Ronaldo's absence, the tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, has reignited his free-kick prowess with a stunning goal for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The 39-year-old's free-kick against Al-Feiha marked his 899th career goal, bringing him tantalizingly close to the historic 900-mark.Ronaldo's free-kick goal was a testament to his enduring brilliance. After a period of inconsistency from dead-ball situations, the Portuguese maestro showcased his trademark precision and placement. Instead of his usual powerful approach, Ronaldo opted for a more measured technique, beating the goalkeeper with sheer accuracy.The goal was Ronaldo's 64th career free-kick goal, putting him just one behind his arch-rival Lionel Messi in club football. When it comes to international free-kicks, both Messi and Ronaldo have scored 11 goals each.Ronaldo's free-kick goal was also significant in the context of his pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone. With 899 goals to his name, Ronaldo is just one goal away from becoming the first player in history to reach the coveted landmark.In a recent interview, Ronaldo expressed his determination to reach the 1,000-goal milestone. "It's going to be pretty tough, but it's about seeing how I am mentally, my motivation," he said. "If, physically, my legs treat me as well as I treat them? We'll see, they are small stages. Until I get to 1,000, first I have to get to 900. I think I'll get there."Ronaldo's free-kick goal against Al-Feiha was a timely reminder of his enduring quality. As he approaches the twilight of his career, the Portuguese forward continues to defy expectations and set new records.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has hinted at a potential retirement from international football and a future outside of coaching.Ronaldo's illustrious career has spanned over two decades, with stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr. He has scored an astonishing 820 goals in 1183 games for club and country, making him one of the most prolific strikers in history.In a recent interview with Portuguese TV channel NOW, Ronaldo expressed his contentment with his current club and his desire to continue playing for Al-Nassr. However, he acknowledged that retirement may be on the horizon within the next two to three years."I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire at Al Nassr," Ronaldo said. "I'm very happy at this club, and I feel good in this country too, I love playing in Saudi Arabia."Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a formidable force on the pitch. He has scored 61 goals in 67 games for Al-Nassr and is the all-time leading scorer for Portugal with 118 goals.However, Ronaldo emphasized that he does not want a farewell tour with the national team. "When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone beforehand and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a well-thought-out one," he said.Ronaldo also dismissed any talk of him becoming a coach after retirement. "In my mind, at the moment, it is not about being a first team coach, or a coach of any team. I don't see my future being that way," he said.Instead, Ronaldo hinted at pursuing other interests outside of football. "I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds," he concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in Saudi Arabia has sparked a surge of excitement in the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Nassr aiming to dethrone reigning champions Al-Hilal. Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, has yet to lift a domestic trophy with the club.Al-Hilal dominated last season, winning the title with an impressive record of 31 wins and three draws, finishing 14 points clear of Al-Nassr. The Riyadh rivals faced off in the Saudi Super Cup final last weekend, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious 4-1.Despite the setback, Ronaldo remains determined to help Al-Nassr end Al-Hilal's dominance. "New season, same goal," he wrote in a social media post.Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly acknowledges the challenge ahead. "This season is going to be very difficult," he said. "Last year, it was a tough championship, but we managed to come out on top. This year, all the teams will be gunning to beat Al Hilal."Last summer, Saudi Arabia witnessed an influx of high-profile players from Europe's top leagues, including Ronaldo. This summer has been quieter, but the transfer window remains open until September 2.For Al-Hilal, the return of Neymar from injury will be a major boost. The Brazilian superstar made only five appearances before sustaining a knee injury in October. "Neymar's return is highly anticipated by our players," said Koulibaly. "He still has this motivation when we see him in training."Al-Nassr has also made significant signings, including Brazilian goalkeeper Bento and Senegalese star Sadio Mane. Other challengers include Al-Ahli, led by Riyad Mahrez, and Al-Ittihad, which has acquired French winger Moussa Diaby.The Saudi Pro League kicks off on Thursday, with all four clubs aiming to improve the average attendance of just over 8,000 per game last season. Al-Hilal also has international ambitions, representing Asia in the FIFA Club World Cup in June.

Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration boiled over after Al-Nassr's 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite scoring the opening goal, Ronaldo's team collapsed in the second half, conceding four goals in quick succession.Aleksandar Mitrovic led the comeback for Al-Hilal, scoring twice in six minutes, while Malcom added a fourth to seal the victory. Al-Hilal fans taunted Ronaldo with chants of "Messi," further fueling the rivalry between the two football legends.Ronaldo's anger was evident throughout the match, with cameras capturing him gesturing towards his teammates. After the final whistle, he refused to collect his runner-up medal, heading straight to the locker room.This incident has sparked discussions about Ronaldo's temperament and the pressure he faces in his second season with Al-Nassr. Former teammates Rio Ferdinand and Louis Saha believe Ronaldo has the potential to become a successful manager, citing his energy, passion, and experience.Ronaldo's frustration may stem from his desire to continue playing at a high level. Ferdinand believes he will play for at least three more years, while Saha suggests he could transition into a managerial role.Despite his disappointment, Ronaldo remains a respected figure in the football world. His work ethic and determination have inspired many, and his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is secure.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian adventure has hit a roadblock as his Al Nassr side suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. The Portuguese superstar, who joined Al Nassr in January with much fanfare, has yet to win a domestic trophy in the Middle Eastern nation.Ronaldo's frustration was evident throughout the match, particularly after Al Hilal's fourth goal. Social media footage captured the 38-year-old throwing his arms up in exasperation, gesturing that his teammates were "asleep" and making another controversial gesture.Al Nassr had taken the lead through Ronaldo's goal just before halftime, but Al Hilal staged a remarkable comeback in the second half. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalized in the 53rd minute, followed by a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 61st and 64th minutes. Malcolm added the icing on the cake in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on an error from Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento."We showed how good we are in the second half," said Mitrovic after the match. "We had some problems in the first half and then changed in the second. We stayed calm and it feels good to get a trophy at the start of the season."Ronaldo's gestures towards his teammates have sparked controversy, with some criticizing his lack of leadership and others defending his frustration. The defeat leaves Al Nassr without a trophy this season and raises questions about Ronaldo's impact on the team.

Despite a disappointing UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo remains determined to extend his illustrious career beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese icon, now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, has faced criticism for his recent performances, but his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand believes he has at least three more years left at the top level.Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Reacts, said, "I can't give too much away, but I've been doing a few bits with Cristiano behind the scenes, and he's playing as long as he wants. He ain't going nowhere. And I was gobsmacked. And listen, you'll see it in time, but minimum three years I think he plays for again."Ronaldo's future has been the subject of intense speculation since Portugal's elimination from Euro 2024. Head coach Roberto Martinez declined to comment on the matter immediately after the quarterfinal defeat to France, but media reports suggest that Ronaldo is not considering retirement anytime soon.The 38-year-old has enjoyed an unparalleled career, representing Portugal in six Euros and four World Cups. He holds the all-time record for most international goals (130) and is his country's most-capped player. Ronaldo has also played a pivotal role in Portugal's major tournament successes, winning the 2016 Euros and reaching the final in 2004.At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first and only male player to score in five consecutive editions of the tournament. He also made his Euros debut in 2004 and holds the record for most tournament appearances.Despite his recent struggles, Ronaldo remains a global icon and one of the most recognizable figures in sports. His determination to continue playing at the highest level is a testament to his unwavering passion and belief in his abilities.

Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name into the history books of Saudi Arabian football by becoming the league's all-time top scorer in a single season. The Portuguese superstar capped off his first full campaign with Al Nassr in style, scoring a brace in their 4-2 victory over Al Ittihad on the final matchday.Ronaldo's tally of 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League surpasses the previous record of 34 goals set by former Al Nassr forward Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018-19 season. The 39-year-old has been in scintillating form since joining the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023, scoring at an astonishing rate of over a goal per game.Ronaldo's goalscoring exploits have played a pivotal role in Al Nassr's success this season. The club secured the Saudi Super Cup in January and are currently in contention for the league title, sitting just one point behind leaders Al Shabab with one game remaining.The Portuguese forward's arrival in Saudi Arabia has not only boosted the league's profile but has also inspired a new generation of young players. Ronaldo's dedication, professionalism, and unwavering pursuit of excellence have set an example for aspiring footballers across the country.Ronaldo's record-breaking season is a testament to his enduring quality and his ability to adapt to different leagues and challenges. Having previously played for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, the Portuguese icon has now conquered another league, proving that he remains one of the greatest goalscorers of all time.

Al Hilal Clinches Fourth Saudi Pro League Title in Five Years, Extends Ronaldo's Silverware DroughtSaudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal has secured its fourth Saudi Pro League title in the past five years, extending Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for silverware in the lucrative competition. The Riyadh-based club sealed the championship with a resounding 4-1 victory over bottom-placed Al Hazm on Saturday, putting them an unassailable 12 points clear of Ronaldo's Al Nassr with just three matches remaining.Al Hilal's triumph marks a remarkable campaign, as they remain unbeaten in 31 league matches and have amassed a record-breaking 34 consecutive wins in all competitions for a top-flight team. The title victory solidifies Al Hilal's dominance in Saudi football, further cementing their status as the most successful club in the country.The title race had been highly anticipated due to the arrival of global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr in January 2023. However, Al Hilal's consistent performances and unwavering determination proved too much for Ronaldo and his team.Al Hilal's success is a testament to the club's astute management and the brilliance of their Portuguese manager, Jorge Jesus. The club has assembled a formidable squad, boasting a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talents.The Saudi Pro League has witnessed an influx of high-profile players in recent years, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, N'Golo Kante, and Riyad Mahrez. These players have been lured by lucrative contracts offered by the Saudi clubs, which are owned by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth vehicle driving Saudi Arabia's economic diversification.Despite the star power at Al Nassr, Al Hilal's unwavering focus and collective spirit have propelled them to the title. The club will now look to maintain their dominance and add to their trophy cabinet in the years to come.