Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed on Saturday that he will not participate in the upcoming Club World Cup, dismissing rumors linking him to a transfer to one of the tournament’s competing clubs.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final against Spain in Munich, the Portugal captain said suggestions that he would join the newly expanded competition were inaccurate.
“I will not be at the Club World Cup,” the veteran striker stated, while acknowledging that several participating teams had contacted him.
Ronaldo arrived in Germany amid widespread uncertainty over his club future, with his contract at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr due to expire at the end of June.
In May, he fueled speculation by posting “the chapter is over” on social media, as reports surfaced about a potential move to another club—possibly Saudi rivals Al Hilal, who are among the Club World Cup participants in the United States this June.
However, Ronaldo said he was not interested in rushing a short-term deal just to take part in the tournament.
“Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense, others didn’t. But you can’t try to do everything—you can’t catch every ball,” he said.
The forward added that his decision on his future was “almost final.”
AFP
