Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son has reached an agreement to join the Under-13 team of Al-Nassr and aspires to eventually play alongside his father in the senior side.
According to information from Fabrizio Romano, the iconic footballer’s son has formalised a deal with the youth team of the Riyadh club and is set to commence training with his new teammates in the coming days.
🇵🇹 Understand Al Nassr have decided for Cristiano Ronaldo jr to start training with U-15 squad despite being 13 year old.
The 13-year-old has been honing his skills in Saudi Arabia since his father’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January of this year.
He has now taken a significant step forward by becoming a part of the academy of the Pro League team.
CR7 Jr
In a move that further echoes his father’s legacy, the young player will proudly wear the No. 7 jersey, which has become synonymous with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The youngster even hopes to realise his dream of playing alongside his dad, as Ronaldo said in 2019: “Sometimes, my son tells me, ‘Dad, hold on for a few more years; I want to play with you’. But that will be difficult.”
Ronaldo and son
Ronaldo is currently 38 years old, and there is uncertainty about whether he will still be actively playing when his son becomes eligible for the first team.
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will be back in action on Saturday as they face Damac in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains in excellent form, as evidenced by his recent achievement of reaching 127 international goals in another impressive victory for Portugal during the Euro 2024 qualification campaign.
Despite their prior triumph in the 2016 tournament, Portugal has already secured their spots for the upcoming summer competition in Germany.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, continues to defy his age by setting an extraordinary example on the field.
At 38 years of age, he has now amassed 200 appearances for his national team, further solidifying his status as a record-breaking goal scorer in men’s international football.
In a commanding performance on Monday, Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0, with Ronaldo contributing two more goals to his remarkable tally.
CR7
Reacting to that success on social media, Ronaldo has said, “Another win and great play by the whole team. First place in the group is guaranteed! We are still going strong!”
Ronaldo’s exceptional form extends to his club performance this season, as he has notched an impressive 17 goals in as many appearances for Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian team.
Reports suggest that this football legend is eager to extend his extraordinary career, both at the domestic and international levels, with the goal of participating in the2026 World Cup finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly facing a sentence of 99 lashes in Iran on charges of adultery following an incident during his travels with Al-Nassr for an AFC Champions League match against Persepolis.
While in Iran, Ronaldo met with Iranian painter Fatima Hamami, who is paralysed and a dedicated fan of the football star.
During their meeting, Ronaldo received a painting from the artist and shared a hug, which has led to a criminal complaint in Iran.
In the country, physical contact with a woman who is not your spouse is considered adultery.
According to the report in Mundo Deportivo, several Iranian lawyers filed the complaint, resulting in a swift response from the judicial system, which sentenced the 38-year-old Ronaldo to 99 lashes.
While the sentence will not affect his current travels, ifAl-Nassr progresses to the next round of the competition and faces a club from Iran, Ronaldo may be at risk of arrest and serving his sentence should he set foot in Iranian territory again.
In August, the 38-year-old managed to score five goals and provide two assists for his Saudi team, earning him the Player of the Month accolade.
He has now continued his impressive run in September, tallying another five goals and three assists. Ronaldo’s exceptional form has propelled Al-Nassr to fourth place in the league standings with six consecutive victories, rebounding from two losses in mid-August.
Despite his advancing age, the Portuguese international continues to showcase his goal-scoring prowess.
He not only leads the Saudi league as its top scorer with 10 goals this season but also shines as Portugal’s primary goal-getter with five goals in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Remarkably, Ronaldo has already outperformed his goal tally from the previous season with Al-Nassr, having netted 17 goals in just 16 matches, compared to 14 goals in 19 games last term.
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are set to face Abha in the league this Friday afternoon. Should results go in their favour later this week, they may ascend to the top of the league table.
Manchester United icon Gary Neville expressed his regret over how Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint at the club ended in an interview with Marca.
Ronaldo’s departure from the Red Devils occurred in November 2022, following a mutual agreement, after he gave an outspoken interview with Piers Morgan.
In that interview, he openly criticised both United and manager Erik ten Hag.
“I wish it hadn’t ended like that,” Neville said. “I wish he had stayed, and they had found a way to cope with each other until the end of the season. But it became impossible once he did the interview with Piers Morgan. It was so public at the time that there was only one outcome.”
Gary and CR7 Utd
Neville was very critical of Ronaldo and his lack of proactive leadership during his last stint at Old Trafford.
“I love Cristiano; he probably doesn’t love me for what I said,” he said. “But I would like to think that in five to 10 years he will understand that my comments came from a good place. I wanted him to understand that when you get to 35 or 36, the younger players in the locker room and the less talented players rely on you to take them with you; that there are different ways to be a mentor, a coach and a father in some ways.
“He is still my favourite player of all time and the one I like the most when I talk about who is the greatest of all time. I know that many people would say [Lionel]Messi, but I love Cristiano.”
His second stint began on a high note, with the Portuguese star scoring twice in his homecoming match against Newcastle.
However, Manchester United’s performance gradually declined, leading to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal just four months into the 2021–22 season.
The former United manager has since acknowledged that his choice to bring Ronaldo back was a regrettable decision, and he has offered insights into the circumstances that ultimately led to the unfortunate conclusion of his tenure.
Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer said: “It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong.
It felt so right when he signed and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game when Old Trafford was rocking (after Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win). He was still one of the best goal scorers in the world, and he was looking strong.
“When I looked at the fixtures, it was going to be a deciding period: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Leicester away. Then Chelsea and Arsenal, plus Champions League games Things went against us.
“It started with Aston Villa at home (a 1-0 defeat) and a late penalty miss. When you have a group, you need everyone to pull in the same direction. When things didn’t go right, you could see certain players and egos come out. We beat Tottenham convincingly 3-0 away, but then we lost two games.”
In his first season back atManchester United, Ronaldo scored 24 goals and contributed three assists in 38 appearances. However, despite his efforts, the team recorded its lowest-ever Premier League points total.
Subsequently, Erik ten Hag was brought in to replace Solskjaer, and during the early stages of the 2022–23 season, Ronaldo found himself sidelined.
The Portuguese striker attracted controversy both on and off the field as he expressed frustration about his limited playing time. His situation escalated after a contentious interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticised Ten Hag and his teammates. This eventually led to the termination of his contract by mutual agreement, and Ronaldo subsequently joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, contributing to a trend of top European talent heading to the Middle East.
Ten Hag’s team, which has won only twice in their first five Premier League matches, is set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Ronaldo will return to action in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr against Al-Ahli Saudi on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an early return to Al-Nassr after being sidelined for the Portugal national team due to a suspension. Despite the setback, he has received commendation from Goncalo Ramos.
Ronaldo will be absent from Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Luxembourg following a suspension resulting from a yellow card he received during a 1-0 victory over Slovakia last Friday.
The 38-year-old’s actions, particularly a reckless challenge that saw him make contact with the face of his former Manchester United teammate and Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, raised eyebrows.
Nevertheless, veteran international colleague and Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos has lauded Ronaldo’s contributions. Ronaldo has promptly returned to Saudi Arabia to resume his club duties at Al-Nassr.
Ramos told reporters: “Cris [Ronaldo] always gives great support; he has been with the team until today [Sunday], supporting us and helping in whatever way he can, but at this moment he has already returned to his club.”
Portugal are on course to qualify for Euro 2024 as they have won all five of their group stage matches so far and are five points clear of second-placed Slovakia and third-placed Luxembourg with five games to play.
This year, 30 stars have been nominated for a special award given to the best player in world football.
Messi and Ronaldo have been competing for the Ballon d’Or award for more than ten years now. Messi has won the trophy seven times, which is a record.
Ronaldo won five Ballon d’Or awards, but even though he currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, he was not chosen as one of the 30 nominees for the 2023 award.
Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, was included in the list because of his amazing performance in Qatar the previous year. The 36-year-old Messi played a crucial role in helping Argentina win the World Cup.
But Ronaldo says that his longtime competition with Messi, especially when they played for Real Madrid and Barcelona, is now over.
Ronaldo said, “I don’t look at things like that anymore, the competition between us is no longer there. ” It was nice, people enjoyed it.
People who are fans of Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to dislike Messi and the same goes for those who like Messi. We did a good job, we have made a big impact on the history of football.
People from all around the world think highly of us, and that is what matters the most. He has chosen his own path and I have chosen mine, even though we have played outside of Europe.
Based on what I observed, he has been doing good, and I have also been doing good. The tradition continues, but I don’t view the competition in the same way. We performed together many times over a period of 15 years. I’m not saying we are friends. We have never had dinner together. But we work together and have a professional relationship. We treat each other with respect.
Cristiano Ronaldo steered a 10-man Al-Nassr team to their inaugural Arab Club Champions Cup victory, netting twice in a 2-1 overtime triumph against fellow Saudi contenders Al-Hilal on Saturday.
Following his transfer to Al-Nassr, Ronaldo experienced a trophy-less season, with the team securing second place in the Saudi Pro League.
However, the 38-year-old impressively netted six goals in the tournament, clinching the tournament’s top scorer distinction on the path to securing the championship.
This competition involves elite Arab clubs from various regions, encompassing teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
The star-studded Al-Nassr lineup generated numerous scoring opportunities in the first half, as summer signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, and Marcelo Brozovic were all thwarted by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
The match at the King Fahd Sports City stadium stayed goalless until six minutes into the second half, when Al-Hilal’s Malcom delivered a cross that was met by his Brazilian counterpart Michael, who headed the ball in to give his team the lead.
Adding to the sting, the 27-year-old even mimicked Ronaldo’s iconic goal celebration, sprinting to the corner flag and launching into the air.
This turn of events seemed to ignite Ronaldo, and the Portuguese captain levelled the score in the 74th minute by capitalising on a low cross from right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam, thereby extending his scoring streak to five consecutive games.
Al-Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was sent off in the second half before Nawaf Boushal was given his marching orders while on the bench for arguing with an official, but they held on to take the game to extra time.
Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.
There were concerns, however, when Ronaldo was carted off the field with an apparent injury after a collision in the second period of extra time — just two days before their Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Ettifaq.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram following has now exceeded 600 million, marking him as the inaugural individual to achieve this remarkable count on the social media platform.
Renowned as one of the most prominent celebrities in the realm of social media, Ronaldo accomplished the milestone of 500 million Instagram followers in November 2022.
Astoundingly, he has surged to 600 million in less than a year, securing his position as the first to accomplish such a feat.
According to a report from Benzinga, his recent engagements on Instagram have attracted a staggering 150 million new followers since May alone.
In the ongoing social media rivalry between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is undoubtedly in the lead.
Messi, the Argentine football icon, holds the second spot with 482 million Instagram followers, followed by Selena Gomez in third place with 427 million.
The esteemed Portuguese football legend aspires to lead Al-Nassr to victory, with the Saudi Pro League scheduled to commence on August 14.
Prior to that, his immediate focus is on the Arab Club Champions Cup, where he is set to compete in the final against Al-Hilal on August 12.
The perception of Cristiano Ronaldo as arrogant and self-centered has been a common criticism throughout his career. Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter referred to him as ‘Commandant,’ suggesting his on-field behavior resembled that of a brutal military officer.
However, those who have had the opportunity to know him closely present a different side of the 38-year-old.
One of his former Real Madrid teammates, Marcelo, shares a strong bond with the Portuguese star.
They engaged in choreographed goal celebrations and shared genuine laughter on and off the pitch, showcasing Ronaldo’s camaraderie with his fellow players.
An old video from their days at Real Madrid surfaced on Twitter, capturing a heartwarming moment where CR7, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, shared a warm embrace with the Brazilian defender at the club’s training base.
This gesture caught the attention of the rest of the squad, leading to a delightful scene of players like veteran midfielder Luka Modric, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and midfield linchpin Casemiro all requesting hugs from Ronaldo.
The video showcases Ronaldo’s softer and more affectionate side, as he warmly interacts with his teammates, debunking the perception of him being solely arrogant and self-centered.
Fans react to Ronaldo’s hugs The video has since warmed the hearts of many online users, with many trooping to the comment section to drop heartwarming messages.
@MousamDas777 wrote: “Watched the video with a big fat smile and a teardrop in the corner of my eye when it ended.”
@VishaalWeshaall, on the other hand, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions: “I smiled yet cried a little.”
@ojedeji_praise believes the video underlines how Ronaldo was held in high esteem by his teammates: “He was adored.”
Odion Ighalo has asserted thatCristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia was primarily motivated by financial considerations rather than a genuine passion for the game.
Ighalo, who was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season while playing for Al-Hilal, revealed that he made the move to the country for monetary reasons and suggests that Ronaldo is doing the same after joining Al-Nassr, along with Benzema.
Ighalo, 34, said to OmaSportsTV: “When you are young, yes, you play for passion. Back then, you don’t care about money.
“But at my age, I am in the final stretch of my career, I don’t know if it will be one, two years or when God will tell it to stop.
“I know it won’t be more than three years. I’ve played for passion all my life, now it’s for money. I’m not one of those players who come and say: ‘I play for passion’. Brother, it’s money. At the end of the day, it’s money.
“Is Ronaldo still playing out of passion? Ronaldo has earned 100 times more than I have in my entire life and yet he went to Saudi Arabia. Did he do that out of passion? It’s for money, bro.”
A clutch of players have moved to Saudi Arabia this summer, with the latest being Jordan Henderson.
The likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino have also moved to the country in this transfer window.
The Saudi Pro League influx appears to show no signs of slowing down, with Fabinho linked with a move to Ittihad.
Argentina forward Yamila Rodriguez has clarified the meaning behind her Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo, emphasizing that it doesn’t reflect anyanimosity towards Lionel Messi.
The player has various tattoos, including ones of Portugal’s Ronaldo and Argentina’s World Cup-winning legend Diego Maradona on her left leg.
As we know, Messi and Ronaldo have had a historic rivalry during their time in La Liga when Messi played for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Some had accused Rodriguez of being anti-Messi because of her Ronaldo tattoo.
However, she explains that the tattoo of the current Al-Nassr star was simply an inspiration to her, and it doesn’t imply any negative feelings towards her compatriot, Messi.
She wrote on Instagram: “Please, enough. I’m not doing well. In what moment did I say I was anti-Messi? Stop saying things that I didn’t say, because the truth is I’m not doing well (in the middle of a World Cup where I’m representing my country.)
“I’m not doing poorly because of you guys, but because of the awful things you’re saying, without respect. One can’t have an idol, or a player that they like? Please.
“I never said I’m anti-Messi and never would be. He is our captain of our national team – me saying that my inspiration and idol is CR7 (Ronaldo) doesn’t mean that I hate Messi.
” Just to me (we can all like different things) I like the other player better, the one that inspired me.
“What’s the problem? We’re not all obligated to love the players from our own country. Please understand that this is football and everyone has their own preferences and that lifting one player up doesn’t mean burying the other.”
Rodriguez came off the bench as Argentina lost their opening game of the Women’s World Cup against Italy, going down 1-0. She plays her club football for SE Palmeiras in Brazil.
Cristiano Ronaldo has invested in the online site Chrono24 to foster his passion for luxury timepieces.
Ronaldo has acquired an undisclosed percentage of the business, according to Chrono24, and has joined its stockholders.
The co-CEO and founder of Chrono24, Tim Stracke, was recently pictured with the 38-year-old athlete who is presently competing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
‘Watch lovers all over the world, we have amazing news for you: Cristiano Ronaldo, the football just joined Chrono24 as shareholder,’ the company said.
‘His passion for timepieces met his business genius and he’s taking both to the next level.
‘It’s a big day for us and our community, whose love for watches knows no bounds.’
The company, established in 2003, asserts to offer a selection of over 530,000 watches sourced from over 3,000 dealers.
The website reportedly attracts more than nine million unique visitors on a monthly basis.
According to reports,Ronaldo has joined the ranks of investors such as Bernard Arnault’s family investment company, Aglae Ventures, General Atlantic, Insight Partners, and Sprints Capital by acquiring stakes in the company.
Ronaldo, who recently secured a £175m-a-year contract with Al-Nassr, is renowned for his extensive collection of luxury watches, which is valued at approximately £5m. In addition, he possesses a fleet of supercars worth £18m.
After spending the summer with partner Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr’s preseason training in excellent shape.
After spending his post-season break at the beach jet skiing and parasailing with Rodriguez, the Portuguese forward is back to work.
In addition, the pair were seen spending time on a lavish yacht while the five-timeBallon d’Or winner rested after a poor debut with Al-Nassr, which finished second behind Al-Ittihad in the campaign for the 2022–23 Saudi Pro League championship.
However, he returns to his club even more determined, as he declared in an Instagram post showing off his impressive physique: “Good to be back!🙌🏼⚽️”
The Brazilian still counts Ronaldo among “the best in the world” and has revealed that he is delighted at the opportunity to manage the “man who will go down in football history.”
Ronaldo will be looking to hit the ground running and star in a friendly against Farense in Portugal on July 15.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr team has been banned from signing any new players as a result of a controversy surrounding former Leicester striker Ahmed Musa.
According to the Daily Mirror, Al-Nassr are not permitted to bolster their roster this summer.
Musa joined Leicester for $18 million ($14 million) in 2018, but the Saudi club failed to pay add-ons from the contract.
At Al-Nassr, Musa won the league, however he was let go in 2020. FIFA has now concluded that the club was ineligible to pay £390,000 in performance-related add-ons to Leicester.
Having been warned in 2021 that they would face a registration ban if they did not pay up, it is now being reported that they have indeed been suspended from adding players into their squad.
FIFA’s ruling had claimed that the ban could last for three consecutive transfer windows, but the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have made it clear they are ready to pay the fee in order to lift the ban.
Al-Nassr have signed Brozovic in their most headline-grabbing deal of the window, bringing him in from Inter Milan.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, joined Al-Nassr in January and scored 14 goals in his first 16 league appearances for the club, but couldn’t inspire their to the title.
Al-Nassr will need to make the payment in order to avoid being left behind as Saudi clubs embark on a trolley dash this summer.
The former England and Liverpool midfielder, Steven Gerrard,has accepted the position of manager at Saudi Arabian side, Al-Ettifaq, despite declining the offer in June.
“Without a doubt, Gerrard’s presence will be an addition and a quantum leap to our league,” said Khalid Al-Dabal, the club’s chairman.
Steven Gerrard has officially signed a two-year contract with Al-Ettifaq, the Saudi club. After being dismissed as Aston Villa manager last year, Gerrard had been without a job until now.
Al-Ettifaq finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League last season, trailing the champions by 35 points.
Gerrard’s move to Saudi Arabia aligns with a trend of Pro League clubs making significant investments and attracting top European players, including Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho had the best of times at Real Madrid but ended things on a sour note after a famous dressing room bust-up, and it has now been revealed what transpired.
Mourinho spent three seasons in the Spanish capital, the second of which was a record-breaking La Liga season.
He is acknowledged to have built the foundation for the club’s successes years after his departure.
Los Blancos won the Spanish title in his second season, amassing a record 100 points and scoring an astonishing 121 goals in a season that also saw them reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.
According to 90min, Ronaldo had his best scoring time under his Portuguese compatriot. He scored 168 goals in 164 games and provided a further 49 assists.
Mourinho and Ronaldo’s fiery exchange
According to Guillem Balague’s book,Cristiano Ronaldo: The Autobiography, via Mirror UK, the manager did not appreciate the player taking a quick throw-in which was difficult for Mesut Ozil, and nearly put the win over Valencia at risk.
Ronaldo was unimpressed by being ‘talked down at’ and replied:
“After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!”
The outburst is said to have left the dressing room stunned, with the situation descending into chaos as the two compatriots nearly came to blows.
It is also claimed that at one point, the Special One slammed Ronaldo for not being a team player.
“Just so you know, many think like me here, but don’t dare say it, they don’t have the [expletive] to tell you,” he is said to have shouted.
Mourinho left Madrid months later to return to Chelsea, and the two have not worked together since then.
Referee sacked after insulting Mourinho
Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported on Serie A referee, Marco Serra being dismissed by AIA ahead of the 2023/24 season after he clashed with Mourinho in February.
Serra was the 4th official during AS Roma’s game against Cremonese. He reportedly swore at Mourinho and told him to go home as no one takes him seriously any more.
David de Gea, the out-of-contract goalkeeper of Manchester United, has been linked with apotential move to Al Nassr, where he could reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who is currently a free agent after his contract expired at the end of June, has yet to agree on a contract extension with United, as reported by Goal.
De Gea’s future with the Red Devils remains uncertain, especially as Manchester United is rumored to be actively searching for a formidable replacement.
Andre Onana, the Inter Milan goalkeeper, is said to be at the top of United’s wishlist, with reports suggesting that the club is pursuing a deal for the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
Which way for David de Gea?
Apparently, De Gea is not expected to fall short of transfer options in the event Man United decide to part ways with him.
The Sun reports the Spanish keeper is a transfer target for Saudi giants Al Nassr in a transfer deal that could see him reunite with Ronaldo.
According to the publication, the former Atletico Madrid ace could pocket as much as £250,000-a-week if he seals the move.
De Gea has spent more than a decade at Old Trafford, having joined United in 2011 under the then-manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Spaniard has gone on to make over 500 appearances for the club and was part of the team that won the last Premier League title during the 2012/13 season.
Given their incredible accomplishments in the sport, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are recognised as the GOATs of footballers, but Neymar is not far behind either superstar.
While Messi and Ronaldo have won many Ballon d’Ors throughout their careers, Neymar has yet to receive the honour despite being one of the best players in the world.
At the age of 30, Neymar has recorded an impressive tally of goals and assists, placing him second only to Messi.
With a total of 627 goal contributions, Neymar has outperformed Ronaldo, who has 617 goal contributions.
Messi, on the other hand, leads the pack with a remarkable 796 goal contributions.
Thus, while Ronaldo trails closely behind Neymar, it is Messi who holds the top position in terms of overall goal contributions at this stage of their careers.
The Brazilian forward scored 71 goals for Santos, 105 goals for Barcelona, and 105 goals for PSG, Transfermarkt reports.
Neymar hails Cristiano and Messi
Meanwhile, Neymar has admitted it is difficult for anyone to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in football due to both superstars’ achievements, Sportskeeda reports.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has competed against the multiple Ballon d’Or winners several times in his career and reveals Ronaldo and Messi are the benchmarks of greatness in modern football.
Messi has won seven Ballon d’Or awards, while Cristiano has bagged five in his career but now both players have moved out of Europe after two decades.
Neymar auctions Messi’s special award
It was reported that Neymar has auctionedParis Saint-Germain’s tribute award to Lionel Messi during the third edition of the Brazilian superstar’s charity auction in Sao Paolo.
The Ligue 1 giants awarded Messi the special tribute award after announcing his departure from PSG, after spending two years with the Parisians.
Famous streamer, Casemiro, won the third-most expensive item of the night as he offered $173,000 for the Lionel Messi trophy.
French President Emmanuel Macron has added his perspective to the long-standing debate regarding who is the superior footballer between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
For more than 15 years, this rivalry has sparked intense discussions within the football community.
Fans, experts, players, and even politicians have eagerly engaged in the ongoing debate surrounding these remarkable athletes.
“I prefer Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said, as quoted bySportskeeda.
Displaying a consistent penchant for engaging in popular sports discussions, the French leader also openly expressed his determination to employ all available means to persuade Kylian Mbappe to remain at Paris Saint-Germain beyond the current summer transfer window, Goal reports.
Perhaps Macron would also use the same tactics to lure Ronaldo to Ligue 1 in future.
Messi edges Ronaldo in H2H
Sports Brief also reported that Messi has the edge over Ronaldo in terms of goals scored across Europe’s top five leagues, as the Argentine also departs the continent.
In a move that all but confirms the end of an era for football, the former Paris Saint-Germain star will debut for Inter Miami in the American MLS as soon as next month.
His major move to the US top flight comes just six months after his long-term rival, Ronaldo, sourly parted ways with Manchester United for Saudi Arabian club, Al-Nassr.
Macron makes vow about Mbappe
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on French President, Emmanuel Macron vowing to help Mbappe star in the country’s capital, amid continued reports the star will leave this season.
The leader’s vow follows a formal letter from Mbappe to PSG about his decision not to activate his one-year contract extension clause, thereby allowing him to leave for free in 2024.
In response to the ongoing transfer saga, President Macron has hinted at his potential intervention in an effort to persuade the PSG superstar to consider staying in Paris longer.
Guinness World Records has acknowledged and honoured Cristiano Ronaldo for his outstanding accomplishment of winning 200 caps for Portugal.
During Portugal’s June 20 play against Iceland in the Euro 2024 Qualifiers, the Al-Nassr hero completed this amazing achievement.
Ronaldo received an official certificate from Guinness World Records recognising him as a record holder as a mark of respect for his historic achievement.
Additionally, he received a Portugal shirt adorned with the number “200” printed prominently on the back, symbolizing his record-breaking caps, per Sportskeeda.
Despite his record-setting achievement, the 38-year-old, who also holds the title of Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, declared that he has no intentions of retiring from international football anytime soon, reaffirming his commitment to continue making an impact on the international stage.
On the occasion of his 200th appearance for Portugal, Ronaldo increased his tally, scoring the match-winner as the 2016 European champions strengthened their grip at the summit of Group J, Eurosport reports.
Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 200 caps
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Ronaldo scaled yet another breathtaking peak in his glistening career as he represented Portugal in the 2024UEFA Euro Qualifiers against Iceland on Tuesday, June 20.
Ronaldo has already established himself as the undisputed leader in international appearances, surpassing Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait earlier this year.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, accomplished a groundbreaking milestone as the first player to reach 200 caps for his country.
Ronaldo makes Portugal vow
Meanwhile,Ronaldo said on Monday that he would ‘never give up’ playing for Portugal as he prepares to make his 200th international appearance against Iceland in Euro 2024 qualifying, Sports Brief reported.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently made a candid confession about feeling nervous when wearing the jersey of the Portuguese national team.
Despite being the leading top scorer for his country with an impressive 122 goals, the Al-Nassr superstar openly admitted his feelings ahead of his upcoming 200th cap for the Selecao against Iceland on Tuesday, June 20.
In an interview with Record, Ronaldo provided clarity on why he experiences nervousness while playing for Portugal.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace explained the reasons behind his emotions, as quoted by the Daily Post.
“I’m always nervous in the national team. With the anthem, I’m always nervous. It’s good. It’s a sign of responsibility, pride, and motivation; representing the national team is the height of the career.”
The 38-year-old continued: “Representing family, parents, friends… If I hope to do more. Obviously, that is why I’m here. That is why I keep on walking.”
Ronaldo, who is in no rush to call time on his international career, highlighted his contribution to the national team while revealing what could prolong his Portugal career.
“Living the moment, day by day, seeing my form, I think I’m still doing well, helping, scoring goals and good performances. As long as I’m motivated and everyone else, if those by my side like my presence and leadership, I will not give up the selection in any way.
“As Bruno Alves said, I will not give away my place for free. Feeling like an asset is pride and motivation. What I want most is to help Portugal,” he added.
If Ronaldo takes the field for his 200th cap against Iceland, this extraordinary milestone will firmly establish him as the first men’s player in international football history to reach the incredible achievement of earning 200 appearances for his country, per Transfermarkt.
Ronaldo’s pitch invader gesture
Sports Brief also reported that Cristiano Ronaldo melted the hearts of football fans with his heartwarming gesture during Portugal’s Euro 2024 Qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ronaldo, who is on the precipice of international history, was making his 199th cap for Portugal, as Roberto Martinez sought to continue his perfect start to life as Selecao boss.
A pitch invader, who was wielding a Portugal flag, hugged the 38-year-old before bowing on his knees to pay homage, then lifted Ronaldo and performed his trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration amidcheers and applause.
As an unwavering Ronaldo superfan hailing from the United States, iShowSpeed had faced multiple instances of missed opportunities to connect with his football icon in the past.
However, on Saturday, June 17, his deepest aspirations became a reality, thanks to the efforts of AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Leao played a crucial role in orchestrating the long-awaited encounter between iShowSpeed and the illustrious five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, as reported by Sportskeeda.
Overwhelmed by Ronaldo’s presence, Speed transitioned from embracing the Al-Nassr star to flawlessly replicating Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration.
This remarkable encounter finally fulfilled his aspirations, which had previously been met with heartbreak and frustration.
For several awe-stricken minutes following the encounter, he found himself lost in disbelief, struggling to comprehend his extraordinary luck, MARCA reports.
Nevertheless, he swiftly regained his composure, seizing the opportunity to capture a few treasured photographs alongside his idol.
Speed, a renowned YouTube live streamer, has risen to become one of the most influential content creators on the platform, thanks to his vibrant personality and exceptional wit.
Remarkably, even while juggling high school demands, he has reached the zenith of success on the video sharing and social media platform – YouTube.
Upon completing his recent graduation, iShowSpeed was presented with a gift that exceeded all expectations – meeting his hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
Leao helps Speed meet Ronaldo
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that iShowSpeed, a well-known YouTuber, finally had the chance to meet his idol,Cristiano Ronaldo, following Portugal’s triumphant three-nil victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, June 17.
As an unwavering fan, Speed had been relentlessly attempting to meet the Al-Nassr superstar for several months, encountering disappointments on multiple occasions.
Standing alongside Speed, Leao seized the opportunity to stop Ronaldo, leading to a mesmerizing moment for the American YouTuber. Visibly awestruck, Speed watched his ultimate desires unfold before his eyes as he stood face-to-face with his idol.
In this match, Ronaldo was on the verge of making history, as it was his 199th appearance for the Portuguese national team.
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez aimed to maintain his flawless record as the new head coach of the Selecao.
Despite his move from Europe to the Middle East, where he signed with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in January, Ronaldo’s status as a global superstar remains undiminished. His impact both on and off the field continues to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide.
His star factor came to light for the umpteenth time at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz when a die-hard fan evaded the stewards and security protocol to share a priceless moment with his idol – Ronaldo.
The pitch invader, who was wielding a Portugal flag, hugged the 38-year-old before bowing on his knees to pay homage, then lifted Ronaldo and performed his trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration amid cheers and applause.
How fans reacted?
@_ultraUtd wrote:
“The love CR 7 has with his fans is incredible.”
Another user, @Odogwu_Nomso, tweeted:
“Picking him up, doing the Sui & running off from security is GOAT levels.”
@ballonstagger hailed Ronaldo:
“My goat.”
Pitch invader gets harsh punishment
In a related article, Sports Brief reported that Argentina’s international friendly game against Australia experienced an unusual twist after an overly excited fan jumped onto the pitch to hug Lionel Messi.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was the biggest star on showcase as the reigning World Cup champions took a tour of China for their international friendlies.
The Chaoyang District Public Security Bureau has identified the fan as Di and has placed him in administrative detention according to the law in China.
As part of his punishment for invading the pitch, the 18-year-old Chinese national will also not be allowed to enter a stadium for the next 12 months.
Ronaldo and Messi have been engaged in a long-standing rivalry throughout their careers, with fans often debating and arguing over who is the better player.
Both of these exceptional footballers have achieved numerous titles at the club level as well as for their respective national teams.
Messi, after many attempts, finally won the World Cup in the 2022 edition of the global competition in Qatar. It was an incredible moment for the former Barcelona captain.
According to reports on Daily Post and Vanguard, Wizkid made it clear that although he does not watch football, he prefers Ronaldo ahead of Messi.
Wizkid snubs Messi for Ronaldo
“I don’t watch football [laughs]. Ronaldo, I guess.”
A report on BBC stated that Messi netted the fastest goal of his career after one minute and 19 seconds while playing for Argentina in an international friendly match against Australia.
Scaloni’s side were playing their third fixture since lifting the World Cup in December, and their first outside of Argentina.
Earlier, Sports Brief reported how David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, stated clearly that Portugal international, Cristiano Ronaldo is his very good friend and a footballer he admires and cherishes.
Ronaldo is one of the biggest footballers in the world, with his achievements and records making him a top star. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times- only Lionel Messi has won it more than the ex-Man United star.
For more than 10 years, the name ‘Ronaldo’ has been ringing the bell in world football because of his superb performances for the clubs he has played for.
In the Beijing Workers’ Stadium, a football fan imitated Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebrations after Argentina defeated Australia in a friendly match.
The man, who represented Al-Nassr at the exhibition game, gained notoriety online for imitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrations in front of Lionel Messi supporters.
The fan was seen in the stands, turning to people behind him, and shouting to attract their attention in a video footage posted on Twitter. The ‘SIUUU’ and ‘nap’ celebrations from CR7 were then performed, much to the chagrin of the Messi supporters.
His antics appear to have drawn praise from Ronaldo fans and scorn from sympathisers of the Argentine, with supporters unable to help themselves from drawing comparisons between the two superstars.
Messi’s four days in China so far have been crazy, starting with his immigration incident, to blockades in the streets, cancellation of events, and even complaints of scams, as Marca reports.
The Argentine captain will not travel with the rest of the squad for Monday’s game against Indonesia because he will be released early to begin his holiday period after a long season.
Messi will enjoy a break from football before completing his move to Inter Miami in America, beginning a new chapter in the MLS after departing Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Messi scores fastest goal
It was the first time ever that Messi scored inside the first two minutes of a game when he opened for Argentina in a friendly against Australia on Thursday.
As reported by Goal, the 35-year-old featured from the opening whistle against the Socceroos, and it did not take long to make his mark on the game.
Within the opening 120 seconds, Messi capitalised on an assist from Chelsea midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, to curl a beautiful shot home, marking a career milestone.
In a recent revelation, Nigerian singer David Adeleke, more commonly known by his stage name Davido, expressed that Cristiano Ronaldo, the exceptionally talented Portuguese football prodigy, holds a significant place in his life as a “very good friend.”
He disclosed this while appearing as a guest on the latest episode of the ABTalks podcast, hosted by Anas Bukhash.
Davido, who made history as the first Nigerian artiste to perform at the FIFA World Cup final last year in Qatar, berated those who mocked Ronaldo after Portugal was knocked out of the tournament.
He said: “Look at [Cristiano] Ronaldo when he left the World Cup. He is my friend, by the way. He is my very good friend.
“When he [Ronaldo] left the World Cup, I remember being on the internet, and they [trolls] were abusing him so much, even after everything that he has done.”
In 2017, Davido paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo in his hit song ‘Fall.’
Davido is the only African artiste that Ronaldo follows on Instagram.
Cristiano Ronaldo has recently disclosed the significance behind his famous ‘Siuuuu’ celebration, which has gained worldwide recognition and become a”global phenomenon”.
The word ‘Siu’ translates to ‘yes’ in Portuguese.
The celebration has not only been embraced and replicated by Ronaldo’s devoted fans but has also been adopted by professional athletes from different sports.
He is believed to have first screamed ‘Siu’ after winning the 2014 Ballon d’Or, which was his third such individual award. Ronaldo has now revealed what he thinks about his celebration and what it actually signifies.
“It seems to have grown into its own global phenomenon – and I love when I see other players doing it, or people send me videos of people in other sports doing it or little kids doing it – it’s great.
It means yes – very simple but meaning it strongly!” Ronaldo said to LiveScore, for whom he is an Official Global Brand Ambassador.
Ronaldo had previously revealed that he had not put any thought behind the celebration and was invented in the spur of the moment during a pre-season match against Chelsea in the United States.
“I started to say ‘si’, it’s like ‘yes’, when I was in Real Madrid. I was in the USA and we played against Chelsea and I don’t know where this is coming from, the celebration,” he said. “I just scored the goal and it just came out.
It was just natural, to be honest. Since that, I started to do it more often and I feel like the supporters and the fans see it and they’re like ‘Cristiano, siiiiiiuuuu’.
I’m like ‘wow! People are reminded of me because of it!’ So it’s good, and I’ll continue doing it like that.”
Ronaldo is currently on a break after the end of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League season, but will return to action with the Portugal national team for a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 17.
The Portuguese forward made the move in December 2022, embarking on a new phase of his professional career.
However, the extreme heat in Saudi Arabia proved to be a hurdle initially, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during the summer. To combat this, training sessions are primarily conducted in the evening, a departure from the usual practice in European clubs.
Ronaldo conceded that it took him some time to acclimate to this difference but assured that he has now fully settled into his new environment.
“The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler,” he said in his capacity as LiveScore ambassador. “But I have really gotten used to that now.
The fans here have been incredible to me, welcoming me, and those that follow me to continue on this amazing journey.
Every league and country is different and I am very proud to have experienced three different leagues in Europe (and won titles in them all).”
Following in Ronaldo’s footsteps, formerReal Madrid skipper Karim Benzema and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante are also set to be part of the Saudi Pro League in the next campaign.
The Portuguese is excited about the arrival of more top-quality talent and believes that the league will develop immensely over the next few years.
“It hasn’t surprised me but it makes me really happy to see people all across the world now watching the Saudi Pro League. I believe the league will continue to develop and many more players from European leagues will come here to play,” he added.
After completing the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League campaign, Ronaldo will shift his focus to international football as he is set to return to action with Portugal against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 17, in a Euro 2024 qualifying fixture.
After spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter, the Chelsea striker traveled to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with officials from Al-Hilal, as reported by GOAL.
Al-Hilal has put forward a two-season contract proposal to Lukaku, amounting to a total of €50 million.
Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea following the expiration of his loan deal with Inter. Reports suggest that Inter may not have the financial means to secure his permanent signing, and the newly-appointed Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is apparently open to giving Lukaku another opportunity at Stamford Bridge.
However, GOAL confirmed that Lukaku is very much open to a switch to Al-Hilal. The 30-year-old will first try to squeeze an even larger salary out of the club, though, as he wants to be rewarded handsomely if he is to turn his back on European football.
Al-Hilal will have to enter into direct negotiations with Chelsea if they strike an agreement with Lukaku.
The Blues are open to a sale as they seek to trim their squad ahead of the new season, but will ask for a fee in excess of €50 million.
The Chelsea forward has expressed his desire to remain at Inter, who reached the 2022-23 Champions League final only to lose 1-0 against Manchester City, but it appears unlikely that the Italian giants will be able to keep him for another year.
The lure of riches in Saudi Arabia could prove too strong for Lukaku to ignore, with Ronaldo paving the way for more high-profile stars to play in the Middle East after his record-breaking switch to Al-Nassr in December.
Ronaldo’s former team-mate Karim Benzema has since left Real Madrid to join Al-Ittihad, with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante also now set to complete a move to the Saudi Pro League champions.
According to Katia Aviero, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s sister, the reason they avoid discussing Lionel Messi at home is because Ronaldo and Messi have been involved in a football rivalry spanning over 15 years.
Given their dominance in the sport and the countless discussions and accolades surrounding them, the family likely prefers to keep those conversations separate from their personal environment.
With a combined 12 Ballon d’Ors between them, among other achievements, the two are arguably the greatest players to ever grace a football game.
Ronaldo with sister, Katia and Messi with World Cup trophy (R)
The rivalry hit fever-pitch during their days in Spain when Ronaldo used to turn out for Real Madrid and Messi for their Classico rivals, Barcelona. The duo has always maintained great respect for each other but have admitted they pushed each other to the limits.
Ronaldo vs Messi GOAT debate
The GOAT debate has also been a divisive issue among fans for quite a long time. In the Ronaldo household, they have a silent rule of not talking about Messi when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is home. They do this to keep Ronaldo away from all the gruesome debates and routines of the outside world.
“We don’t talk about Messi at home.Cristiano knows that behind the door, there is a whirlwind. And that when he goes through the door from the outside to the inside, he is protected. That’s where that he recharges all his batteries,” Katia said in a 2018 interview.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2015 Ballon d’Or gala in Switzerland. Photo by Philipp Schmidli.
Ronaldo left Los Blancos for Juventus in 2018 before rejoining Manchester United in 2021. His contract at Old Trafford was ripped up and he joined Saudi Arabia giants Al-Nassr. On the other hand, Barcelona’s financial issues saw them lose Messi on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
It is undeniable that Ronaldo and Messi are incredibly talented and accomplished athletes who have achieved numerous records and accolades throughout their careers, but the question still lingers – who is the GOAT?
Offering his two pence on the discussion, Carlos, who was known for his intense love for training and dedication to his craft, tilted towards Ronaldo in the GOAT argument.
Renowned manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who led Manchester United to numerous victories and 13 Premier League titles during his tenure from 1986 to 2013, has made comments that seem to indirectly criticize some of his former players when discussing the use of the term “world-class” in football.
Throughout his illustrious career at Old Trafford, Ferguson experienced many remarkable moments, including achieving three consecutive titles twice and securing the treble in the 1998/99 season.
26th MAY 1999, UEFA Champions League Final, Barcelona, Spain, Manchester United 2 v Bayern Munich 1, Manchester United team with manager Alex Ferguson celebrate with the trophy following their win (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
He notably fostered a successful team dynamic with the famed “class of 1992,” where academy talents played a dominant role in his squad.
According to Daily Express, since retirement, he has remained a regular figure around the club, attending games and getting involved in key decisions, including managerial appointments.
Ferguson shades former players
The use of labels and classification for players has become a thing in football. Legend and world-class are the two most controversial terms used currently in football.
The 81-year-old has waded into the discussion using his Manchester United players as examples in what appears to be a subtle dig at some great stars.
“If you read the papers or listen to the television commentators, we seem to be awash with ‘world-class’ footballers,” he wrote in his book, Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, via SportBible.
“I don’t mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world-class: [Eric] Cantona, [Ryan] Giggs, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Paul] Scholes.”
Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes.
He had special praise for the greatest of them all, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one under Ferguson’s watch.
“And of the four Cristiano was like an ornament on the top of a Christmas tree,” he said.
Ferguson apologises to Solskjaer
Sports Brief reported that Ferguson apologised to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for publicly criticising the manager over his treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Scot was influential in bringing Ronaldo to Old Trafford for a second spell that did not pan out well and joined a brigade of critics of Ole.
Mateo, the youngest son ofCristiano Ronaldo, has caused a significant stir on social media due to his choice of shirt, as seen in widely circulated footage.
Ronaldo, known for his illustrious career with Real Madrid, Barcelona’s fierce rivals, spent nine successful seasons with the Madrid club.
Therefore, it came as a major surprise, especially to fans of Los Blancos, when they observed the five-year-old happily dancing and singing while wearing the Barcelona kit.
The unexpected sight of Mateo in the Catalan colors has sparked widespread discussion and captured the attention of online platforms.
In a video posted by Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo’s partner, seen by Sports Brief, Mateo, who wore Barcelona’s home kit, was filmed together with his siblings Alana Martina and Eva singing and vibing to a choreographed dance.
The video has since sparked mixed reactions on social media, considering Mateo’s dad’s long-standing rivalry with Barca, who recently won their 27th La Liga crown, per Besoccer.
During Ronaldo’s stint with Real Madrid, the 38-year-old reached hallowed heights with the Spanish giants, scoring a staggering 451 goals in 438 games, including an impressive 20 goals in 34 matches against the Blaugrana, Transfermarkt reports.
Cristiano currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, where he has notched 13 goals in 14 matches as the Knights of Nahd chase their first league crown in four years.
Ronaldo was linked with a potential transfer to Bayern last summer, following his departure from Manchester United in November last year, but ultimately chose to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he now commands a staggering annual salary of £173 million.
But businessman Marcus Schon is bent on bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to Europe. The German millionaire reportedly reached out to Bayern Munich’s CEO Oliver Kahn via email, expressing his interest in financially supporting a potential transfer.
In order to attract Cristiano Ronaldo toBayern Munich, a German business billionaire and tycoon has volunteered to finance the transaction.
Following his departure from Manchester United in November of last year, Ronaldo was rumoured to be moving to Bayern last summer. However, he ultimately decided to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Premier League, where he currently earns a remarkable £173 million per year in pay.
But businessman Marcus Schon is bent on bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to Europe. The German millionaire reportedly reached out to Bayern Munich’s CEO Oliver Kahn via email, expressing his interest in financially supporting a potential transfer.
“It’s conceivable that we could commit ourselves to the transfer fee or paying the salary excess over a basic amount if our company is clearly identified as the facilitator of the deal,” a portion of the mail read according to the Bavarian newspaper Abendzeitung.
In the alleged communication, it was further mentioned that in the event of a permanent transfer, a request was made for a percentage of shirt sales to be allocated, as reported by GOAL.
Meanwhile,Ronaldo has bagged13 goals in 14 Saudi Pro League matches as Al-Nassr aim to make up for lost grounds in search of their first league title since 2019.
Cristiano Ronaldo
What’s next for Ronaldo and Bayern?
Ronaldo helped revived Al-Nassr’s faint league hopes with a strike from the spot as the Knights of Nahd reduced the gap between themselves and table-topping Al-Ittihad to just three points. He will hope to continue his scoring spree when his side plays host to Al Shabab on May 23, Tuesday.
Bayern, on the flip side, are looking to win a record 11th successive Bundesliga crown but will have to pass the acid test of RB Leipzig on Saturday, May 20, as Borussia Dortmund continues to breathe down on their necks.
Ronaldo’s near-Arsenal move
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that fresh details have emerged on how Cristiano Ronaldo came close to joining Arsenal during the January transfer window before his switch to Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo became a free agent in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup after Manchester United terminated his contract prematurely.
It has now emerged the Portuguese international was reportedly close to sealing a stunning move to Arsenal before he moved to Saudi Arabia. This is according to Gunners fan Morgan, who recently took to social media claiming the Real Madrid icon was keen on a move to theEmirates Stadium.
Similarly, one could argue that, the duoJose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola share a similar dynamic, having clashed during their El Clásico encounters in Spain and subsequently crossing paths again in Manchester.
They rank highly in the list of the most successful coaches alongside the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson. There has always been loads of respect between the two, but once in a while, a subtle dig is always sent out.
Like what fans believe happened after Mourinho guided AS Roma to another European final on Thursday.
The Special One masterminded another defensive masterclass to see off Bayer Leverkusen to set up a final against record winners Sevilla. This came just a day after Guardiola had equally qualified for his second Champions League final as Manchester City boss.
Pep(R) and Mourinho
What Mourinho said about Guardiola
Mourinho, however, appeared to insinuate that his achievement was much greater than Guardiola’s, given the strength of the squads both have to work with.
The Giallorossi’ haven’t been the luckiest of teams as far as injuries are concerned this season.
“The only teams that do not suffer are those exceptional teams that they have on the bench €40million or €70million players.
Mourinho in a post match interview
If you look at City’s semi-final, they brought on Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez in the second half.
“If we lose four or five players then we suffer. That is natural. At Roma, we have players out injured and others who have not had transfer fees must come in. We invested €7million in the market and we are in the final. What we have done is extraordinary,” as quoted by the Mirror.
The comment opens up an interesting spectacle. Should both managers win their finals, the two veteran managers could meet in theUEFA Super League later this year.
Mourinho slammed for ugly tactics
Sports Brief also reported on criticism Mourinho received for his tactics against Bayer Leverkusen.
Roma frustrated Bayer Leverkusen in Germany to draw the second leg 0-0 and qualify on an aggregate score of 1-0.
At the Bay Arena on Thursday night, it was a vintage Mourinho performance. His side had zero shots on target as they defended resolutely for the entire 90 minutes.
There were also rampant cases of time-wasting, with the Roma players going down at intervals, much to the frustration of their opponents.
Football fans on social media are certain that Bernardo Silva was unfollowed by as a result of the Manchester City player’s remarks on the Ballon d’Or discussion.
After a second stint at Manchester United marred by crises, Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the Middle East, where he now plays for Al-Nassr, and has since slid down the pecking order.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo faced off in an exhibition match earlier this year
When he was at the height of his powers, Silva, who shares the international locker room with Ronaldo, discussed how he used to feel when he didn’t win the most coveted individual accolade.
“I was in the selection two or three times when he won it. We congratulate him and we talk. When he doesn’t win, we’re not happy too because he’s a player who really likes to be on top. He talks to people: ‘I thought I deserved a little more’, a really competitive player, who is into this type of thing.
He likes to be on top a lot,” he said, as quoted by Sportskeeda.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward won the Qatar World Cup with Argentina, and it is believed he is already a frontrunner to win his record-extending eighth title.
It is these comments that fans believe made Ronaldo unfollow Silva.
It is not understood if he followed him in the first place, but the national team captain follows a number of Selecao regulars like Pepe, Joao Moutinho, and Bruno Fernandes.
Neville settles Ronaldo, Messi debate
Sports Brief has also reported that Gary Neville is the latest high-profile ex-footballer to weigh in on the eternal argument on who the football GOAT is between Ronaldo and Messi.
The debate over which football star rules between the Portuguese icon and his long-time Argentine adversary has frequently caused division among fans, pundits and even players.
Neville praised the legendary duo ofRonaldo and Messi as the best players of all time before seemingly basing his decision on which of the two he had personally interacted with.
The debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as to who is the greatest player of all time is a long-standing and highly contested topic in the world of football. Both players have achieved incredible success and have consistently performed at an exceptional level throughout their careers.
Lionel Messi, an Argentine forward, spent the majority of his career with Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
Messi is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, close ball control, and vision on the field. He has won numerous individual awards, including the prestigious Ballon d’Or, and has broken multiple records, including the most goals scored in a calendar year.
Most won Ballon d’Or players, Lionel messi and CR7
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese forward, has played for several top clubs, including Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and currently, Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al-Nassr on April 9, 2023. Photo by ABDULAZIZ ALNOMAN.
Ronaldo is known for his incredible athleticism, goal-scoring ability, and versatility on the field. Like Messi, he has also won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and holds various records, including being the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
The debate over who is the greatest player of all time often boils down to personal preferences and opinions.
Messi is often praised for his natural talent, exceptional playmaking ability, and consistency, while Ronaldo is admired for his incredible work ethic, physical prowess, and goal-scoring prowess.
Supporters of Messi argue that his style of play is more aesthetically pleasing, and his ability to control the game with his dribbling and passing sets him apart.
Argentine star and PSG forward, Lionel Messi
They also point to his incredible longevity at the top level and his numerous team accomplishments with Barcelona.
Ronaldo’s supporters, on the other hand, emphasize his unmatched athleticism, goal-scoring record, and versatility to excel in different positions. They argue that Ronaldo has proven himself in multiple leagues and has achieved success with various clubs, demonstrating his adaptability and impact.
The Saudi Arabian football league aims to become a strong competitor by attracting top European veterans amid its ongoing revolution.
One notable celebrity who recently made the move was Cristiano Ronaldo. In January, he joined Al-Nassr, signing a lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract worth £173 million per season.
More top European stars in their 30s are being targeted for lucrative moves to the league, which is ranked 27th in the world by FIFA.
Sports Brief looks at seven players who could potentially receive offers from Saudi Arabia.
1. Lionel Messi
The Argentine’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain will expire in the summer and he is set to leave, with offers from Saudi Arabia and his former club, Barcelona said to be on the table.
According to French outlet, L’Equipe, Al-Hilal are offering Messi an astonishing £434 mil salary per season to join them when his PSG contract expires.
2. Hugo Lloris
The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has played his last game for the club after he suffered an injury ruling him out for the rest of the season. His contract expires in the summer, and he will be a free agent.
According to The Times, an unnamed Saudi club is willing to offer the 36-year-old £300,000 per week to spend the final days of his career in the Middle East.
According to Mundo Deportivo, he has an offer from Saudi Arabia worth £15.7 mil per season (£300,000 per week).
4. Jordi Alba
The Spanish left-back could also leave Barcelona at the end of the season, even though he has a year left on his current contract. Al-Hilal reportedly want a reunion between him, Messi, and Busquets, but it is unclear how much they are offering him.
5. N’golo Kante
The French international will be a free agent at the end of the season if he does not renew his current Chelsea contract, which is worth £290,000 per week. Foot Mercato reports that Al-Nassr are interested in poaching the 31-year-old.
6. Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian is confirmed to be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after eight years. According to ESPN, he is one of the free agents across Europe eyed by Saudi clubs.
7. Wilfred Zaha
Zaha will be a free agent in the summer, unless he extends his current Crystal Palace contract. Al-Ittihad are reportedly willing to offer him a little more than the EPL club to move to Saudi Arabia.
Modric snubs Saudi offer
Sports Brief reported that Luka Modric will extend his Madrid contract by another year to play for the club next season, deep into his late 40s.
The vet
eran Croat ended growing speculations that he could leave the team in the summer, with Al-Nassr said to be preparing a reportedly ady to offer him a lucrative contract.
Lionel Messi is set to depart fromParis Saint-Germain in the upcoming summer transfer window, but his next destination is still uncertain.
Recent reports had indicated that the Argentine football star had signed a whopping £522 million deal with Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, which would have pitted him against his old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.
However, Messi’s father, Jorge, has refuted such rumors, stating that his son has not yet reached any agreement with any club.
We take a closer look at the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s situation.
Goodbye Paris
The only thing that can be categorically ruled out at this stage is the prospect of Messi extending his stay in the French capital.
When the 2022 World Cup winner signed a two-year deal with PSG back in August 2021, expectations were high — and on the pitch, Messi has delivered.
His 20 goals and 19 assists across 37 appearances this term have been instrumental in putting Les Parisiens on the cusp of a second straight Ligue 1 title.
However, the French champions have once again failed in their pursuit of a maiden Champions League crown and recent fan anger has been directed towards the club’s highest earning stars.
A contract extension was therefore already looking bleak before last week’s unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia appeared to put a final nail in the coffin.
Though Messi has since apologised for the two-day visit and is back in training, the damage caused between player and club appears beyond repair.
Money talks
Lionel Messi could join his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia
Fittingly, Saudi Arabia is one of the destinations that has been touted for Messi next season.
Al-Hilal, the 18-time Pro League champions, are supposedly desperate to land the megastar and pit him against his old foe Ronaldo, who plays for their domestic rivals Al-Nassr.
Adding in the fact he has an ambassadorial role with the country’s tourist board, a move certainly makes sense — though the player’s father says talk of a pre-agreement is fabricated.
Posting on social media, Jorge Messi said: “There are always rumours and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety, but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing agreed with anyone.”
American dream
Many of the footballing world’s biggest stars choose to wind down their career in America’s MLS — and Inter Miami could be a perfect fit for Messi.
Part-owned by none other than David Beckham, the Florida-based outfit were only formed in 2018 and are still very much in their development phase as a club.
Last season’s sixth-placed finish was their best league performance to date and the club’s backers are keen to build on that success with a blockbuster signing.
MLS analyst Taylor Twellman claimed this week that Miami’s offer for Messi remains “on the table”, though the club accept they are not currently at the front of the queue.
Emotional return
The ideal destination for Messi himself would likely be a return to his beloved Barcelona.
He remains the Catalan club’s all-time top scorer with a stunning 672 strikes across 21 glorious years, earning him God-like status among the club’s supporters.
It is widely acknowledged that Messi never wanted to exit the Camp Nou in the first place, only leaving due to the club’s horrendous financial situation.
Though he and Barca would undoubtedly love a return this summer, those issues still persist — making a reunion seemingly just a pipe dream.
While there remains even a slight chance, however, football romantics around the globe will be willing for the great man to return home.
Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, has responded to rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar would sign with the team for the upcoming season if they make the UEFA Champions League.
Since the Saudi PIF takeover in late 2021, the club’s fortunes have improved both on and off the pitch, with the English manager at the forefront of the transformation on the pitch that is propelling the team into the elite stage in his first full season.
As they presently rank third in the Premier League standings, their potential European membership for the following season would aid them in luring top talents, and several names have been mentioned in connection with them should they succeed.
Cristiano Ronaldo is considering quitting Al-Nassr just five months after joining, while Neymar is also set for an exit at PSG after seven seasons in Paris.
Howe speaks on transfer rumours
According to talkSPORT, Ronaldo is growing frustrated with life in Saudi Arabia and has already witnessed a managerial change with Dinko Jelicic replacing Rudi Garcia.
Neymar had PSG fans protest at his house and chant at him to leave the club in a spate of demonstrations also targeted at Lionel Messi and Marco Veratti, according to The Athletic.
Both have been linked with a sensational move to the Premier League with Newcastle United, but Eddie Howe has other ideas opposed to bringing in 30+ stars.
“A lot of the names aren’t accurate. We need to recruit wisely,” he said, as quoted by Sportskeeda. “We want to discover them before they explode onto the world stage. We need to go underneath, find them young and develop them. I know the direction.”
Ronaldo has previous Premier League experience with Manchester United while Neymar does not, but both men have won six Champions League trophies between them.
Messi apologises for Saudi trip
PSG lost 3-1 at home to FC Lorient at the weekend before Lionel Messi embarked on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia the following day, which sparked the anger of the ultras.
As Sports Brief reported, Messi apologised in an Instagram video after reports the club had suspended him for two weeks without pay for the unprofessional conduct.
Reports indicate that, Al-Hilal is allegedly set to make Lionel Messi an offer to join them for over half a billion pounds. A staggering amount to knock out of the waterRonaldo’s Al-Nassr’s deal.
Sky Sports reports that the Saudi company is allegedly willing to pay the PSG star £400 million for just one season.
According to the source, Argentina is in favour of Messi joining the team since it would increase the league’s marketability.
Messi and Ronaldo
The Saudi Pro League has already gained more interest since the new year after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer.
Ronaldo signed a record deal to join Al Nassr following his exit from Manchester United.
However, Messi’s potential deal will blow that out of the water.
He has also been welcomed to the country by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister of Saudi Arabia.
After Messi’s trip, he tweeted: “I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.
“We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
The Argentine is on course to leave PSG this summer once his contract at the Parc des Princes expires.
The club had previously been keen on extending his deal, but have changed their stance.
Messi is suspended from the club following an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia after a Ligue 1 loss to Lorient on Sunday.
However, fans reacted to the ban as they arrived in their droves outside of the club’s head office.
The protest saw fans ignite flares while holding up banners calling on the club’s management to resign.
Messi has also been linked with a return to Barcelona as well as to MLS side Inter Miami.
The French giants are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
But Barcelona’s dream of having their all time goal scoring machine back seems gloomy as it is reported that they have failed to convince La Liga over their ability to meet the forwards financial demands.
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team.
Messi is widely considered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won numerous awards including seven Ballon d’Or titles.
He started his career in his native Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys before moving to Barcelona at the age of 13.
At Barcelona, he became one of the most successful players in the club’s history, winning numerous domestic and international titles.
Messi has also had a successful international career, leading Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021 and helping the team reach the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He also kept his Argentine national team at the top till they won the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was hosted in Qatar.
After the teams win, Messi gifted 14 iPhones to his team mates and all the staff of team to congratulate and applaud them for their hard work for the teams success at the World Cup.
Also, Lionel Messi is married to Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart. The couple first met when Messi was just five years old and Roccuzzo was his friend’s cousin. They started dating in 2008 and got married in June 2017 in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
The ceremony was attended by several famous footballers, including Messi’s Barcelona teammates and Argentina’s national team.
Messi and Roccuzzo have three children together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The family is known for being relatively private and keeping their personal lives out of the public eye.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most successful football players of his generation, having won numerous individual and team accolades throughout his career. His departure from Manchester United in November 2021 left a significant impact on the team, as he was one of their top earners and star players.
Despite Ronaldo’s waning powers, he remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has continued to earn staggering amounts of money through his endorsement deals.
Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes revealed that Ronaldo earned £109million in 2022, making him the top-earning athlete for the year.
This is more than any other sportsperson, including his arch-rival Lionel Messi, who earned £104m. Ronaldo’s earnings come from a combination of his salary and endorsements.
He reportedly took home £36.6m in salary last year, in addition to an astonishing £71.7m in endorsements.
Ronaldo’s earnings have dwarfed those of his former Manchester United teammates. Since his departure, the team’s top earner is goalkeeper David de Gea, who pockets £19.5m annually, as per Spotrac.
In fact, it would take the salaries of United’s eight top earners to match Ronaldo’s total earnings last year. Jadon Sancho reportedly takes home £18.2m a year, with Raphael Varane on £17.68m annually.
The disparity in earnings between Ronaldo and his former teammates highlights the value that he brought to the club, both on and off the pitch.
The club has struggled to find a replacement for the prolific forward, and it remains to be seen how they will fare in the future without him.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has continued to play football in Saudi Arabia, where he signed a two-year contract with Al-Nassr FC.
Ronaldo’s success on and off the pitch has made him one of the most recognizable and marketable athletes in the world.
His endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Tag Heuer, and Herbalife have earned him millions of pounds every year, and his social media following is one of the largest of any athlete.
He has leveraged his fame and success to build a business empire that includes hotels, gyms, and clothing lines.
Cristiano Ronaldo. Apart from his lavish lifestyle and expensive styling, the sportsman has a natural interest in cars, which he has spoken about on a lot of TV shows. This is reflected in his extensive car collection, which consists of more than 25 cars that are valued at over $20 million today.
Ronaldo pocketed far more than United’s current top starsCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldois a professional footballer from Portugal who currently plays for Al-Nassr.
He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or titles.
Ronaldo has played for several major football clubs, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
He is known for his incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring abilities, and has scored over 700 career goals. Ronaldo is also heavily involved in philanthropy, supporting various charities and initiatives to help disadvantaged communities.
Meanwhile there had been recent reports of alleged breakup with his long time girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez with whom he has five children is the stepmother of his first child (Cristiano Junior), raising the child as her own without involvement from the child’s biological mother.
The player went through a hard time during his son’s death, i.e, the male of the twins his wife gave birth to.
He disclosed in an interview with Piers Morgan, that it was a hard time for both himself and his partner, Georgina.
The Portuguese superstar’s earning is an impressive $136 million in the past 12 months.
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United in 2022, clinched the top spot in the rankings, beating Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi to the second spot.
Messi made a whopping $130 million in the past year, earning him a place among the top ten highest-paid athletes in the world.
The footballer previously held the title of the world’s highest paid athlete in 2017, but he was later dethroned by Floyd Mayweather and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo’s comeback to the top of the list is impressive, especially considering the highly competitive nature of football in recent times.
After Messi, it was Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion who took the third spot on the list, earning $100 million in the past 12 months. NBA superstar LeBron James and tennis ace Roger Federer were tied for the fourth spot, earning $90 million each.
Forbes’ rankings are based on both on-field earnings, including salaries, prize money, and bonuses, as well as off-field earnings, including sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and memorabilia and licensing income.
The rankings also consider factors such as taxes and the inflation rate in the athlete’s home country.
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 19: Leo Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennes at Parc des Princes on March 19, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
Canelo Alvarez beats Gennadiy Golovk in trilogy fight
Cristiano Ronaldois a professional footballer from Portugal who currently plays for Manchester United.
He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or titles.
Ronaldo has played for several major football clubs, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
He is known for his incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring abilities, and has scored over 700 career goals. Ronaldo is also heavily involved in philanthropy, supporting various charities and initiatives to help disadvantaged communities.
Meanwhile there had been recent reports of alleged breakup with his long time girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez with whom he has five children is the stepmother of his first child (Cristiano Junior), raising the child as her own without involvement from the child’s biological mother.
The player went through a hard time during his son’s death, i.e, the male of the twins his wife gave birth to.
He disclosed in an interview with Piers Morgan, that it was a hard time for both himself and his partner, Georgina.
“Piers, it was probably the worst moment that I passed through in my life since my father died,” Ronaldo told Piers Uncensored. “When you have a kid, you expect that everything will be normal and when you have that problem it’s hard.
“As a human being as I am, me and Georgina, we had quite difficult moments, because we don’t understand why it happened to us. It was difficult, to be honest. It was very, very difficult to understand what’s going on in that period of our lives.
“As you know, the football carries on, so fast, so many competitions, the football doesn’t stop. Passing through that moment, was probably the most difficult moment that I’ve had in my life, me and my family, especially Gio, that was tough.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s comeback to the Premier League in 2021 did not go as expected.
Under Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Manchester United had just finished in second place, and following a respectable summer of new additions, there was a growing belief that they could contend for the championship.
Along with Ronaldo, Raphael Varane joined after a successful stint in Real Madrid, and Jadon Sancho was recruited from Borussia Dortmund.
While Ronaldo had a splendid season individually, United ended the season in sixth with their lowest-ever point tally.
Solskjaer was sacked midseason after damaging defeats to Watford, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Raphael Rangnick was appointed on an interim basis, but he, too, couldn’t do anything to stem the rot.
Ronaldo’s impact on dressing room
It has always been up to debate why a team that was performing so well in the 2020/2021 season couldn’t replicate such performances, especially with the arrival of a serial winner and proven goalscorer like Ronaldo.
As the Athletic reports, the squad might have been overwhelmed by Ronaldo’s presence in the dressing room.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is a known perfectionist. From his gym routines to his high desire to win constantly, it looks like this had a negative impact on the rest of the squad. In his final interview withPiers Morgan as a United player, he openly condemned the club’s facilities.
Even more interestingly, video analysts observed that there was a specific player who always tried to pass to Ronaldo to receive praise. His form dipped with Ronaldo’s presence at the club given as a part reason. The player is not mentioned.
Among the players who lost their form include Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire.
Rojo slams Ole Gunnar
It was earlier reported that former Manchester United defender, Marcos Rojo has launched a scathing attack on his former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and embattled club captain, Harry Maguire.
Rojo plied his professional trade with the Red Devils between 2014 and 2021 but was rarely used during his time at Old Trafford.
In a no-holds-barred interview, the combative centre-back revealed Solskjaer had informed him that Maguire had to play every week despite the high-profile errors he committed.
A disappointing season reportedly led to the resignation of the Al-Nassr executive who assisted in brokering the agreement to sign Cristiano to the Saudi side.
The Al-Nassr club president Musalli Al-Muammar has resigned, according to a report from the Saudi Gazette, as the team is expected to have a terrible 2022–23 season. Al-Muammar handled the signing of Ronaldo earlier in the season.
Following the 2022 World Cup and a shocking, candid interview in which he sharply criticised Manchester United, which led to the club’s voluntary release of him, Ronaldo left for the Middle East in a mega-money deal.
However, despite a few shows of brilliance, his frustrations have continued and tempers have flared with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner unable to help the club towards silverware.
The report claims that Al-Muammar has already submitted his resignation letter to the Ministry of Sports and the current board of directors at the club is to be dissolved. A new board and president could be decided before the end of the season.
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, the club has actually found itself in a downward trajectory. League defeats against title rivals Al-Ittihad mean they are now likely to miss out on the title, while a 1-0 defeat against Al-Wehda saw them eliminated from the King Cup of Champions in the semi-final.
Manager Rudi Garcia was also dismissed following a run of poor form, while Ronaldo has let his frustrations boil over on a number of occasions amid his side’s struggles.
Mario Balotelli has blamed himself for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi winning so many Ballon d’Or awards.
The Italian striker, who is presently playing for FC Sion in Switzerland, has always possessed outstanding potential that might separate him apart from the countless other strikers attempting to have an influence on the game.
To fully utilise his undeniable skill, Super Mario hasn’t yet developed the right mindset.
Balotelli was once touted as a potential candidate to win the coveted diadem but some flaws have kept him from reaching his full potential and being placed among the pantheons of the game’s greats, per Sportskeeda.
Reflecting on a conversation he had with late agent, Mino Raiola, the striker admitted his lack of effort has contributed towards Messi and Ronaldo collecting 12 golden balls between them.
“Raiola always told me the same thing: If Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have so many Ballon d’Or trophies, it is your fault. He was right; too often I played at 20% of my capabilities,” he told Muschio Selvaggio podcast, as quoted by GOAL.
Balotelli ends goal drought
Sports Brief also reported on veteran Italian striker, Balotelli ending his goal drought of five months after finding the back of the net for FC Sion.
The former Inter Milan star was on target for the Swiss side during their top flight league clash against Grasshoppers on April 17.
Balotelli made a bright start to life in Switzerland with an four goals in his first six Swiss Super League matches but his scoring dried up after.
Why Balotelli owes Inter Milan
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on FC Sion forward, Balotelli paying Inter Milan tribute for the huge role the club played in his careerin his career as a footballer.
The Italian grew up through the ranks at the Nerazzurri and became one of the most sought-after youngsters due to his enormous talent.
The 32-year-old Balotelli recently revealed how the Serie A club still held a special place in his heart and he is still a huge fan of theirs.
Being unable to maintain your privacy is a part of being Cristiano Ronaldo. The life of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has always been subject to public scrutiny.
Anything with the name Ronaldo associated to it constantly generates the headlines, from his girlfriend and kids to every score, touch, and mispass.
The status of his relationship with Georgina Rodriguez is currently the subject of fresh reports at Al-Nassr.
With Archaf Hakimi’s unconfirmed split with his wife and the matter of the former transferring his wealth to his mother still doing rounds, many have questioned how much Rodriguez could get if she broke up with Ronaldo.
As Sportskeeda reports, the Argentine-born model could get as much as 35% of Ronaldo’s fortune which can be translated to 350 million euros.
It is important to note that the couple has never officially tied the knot, but she is the biological mother of two of Ronaldo’s five children.
What happened between the two?
As earlier reported by Sports Brief,Ronaldo’s love life is reportedly in crisis, with issues believed to have rocked his relationship with Georgina Rodriguez.
The rumours, which started earlier this year, have reemerged despite the couple putting a solid face on social media.
They recently moved to Saudi Arabia after Ronaldo secured the most expensive football contract in history with Al-Nassr following the termination of his contract by Manchester United.
Like any other celebrity relationship, there have always been unconfirmed rumours of differences between the two.
The latest has come from a Portuguese television program Noite das Estrelas (Night of Stars), where a psychologist, a journalist and a close friend of the family were invited to give their opinions on Ronaldo’s relationship.
Since switching from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, Haaland has been on fire, shattering nearly every goal-scoring record in England and, by extension, Europe.
According to Transfermarkt, the Norwegian goal scorer has amassed an incredible 48 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions while also dishing out six assists, underscoring his outstanding play this season.
It thus comes as no surprise that Rooney reckons that Haaland is by far the best footballer on the planet presently.
“Erling Haaland is the best footballer in the world right now. Lionel Messi is the greatest but, at this moment, nobody is playing better than a striker who — even though I broke records in that position myself — takes my breath away with the levels he’s reaching,” the legendary Manchester United forward wrote in his column for The Times via Sportskeeda.
Rooney stressed: “He’s the best in the world because of the numbers he’s posting, the performances he’s putting in and the mentality he shows.”
Ronaldo and Messi era
The pair have shot their way to the top of the ‘greatest of all time’ conversation; no matter who you are, everyone has a preference – winning a combined 12 Ballon d’Or awards.
The 22-year-old will hope to continue his breathtaking goalscoring form for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s charges chase the treble, with the club still in contention to win the English Premier League, the Emirates FA Cup and the elusive UEFA Champions League.
Cassano contradicts Rooney, blasts Haaland
While Rooney lauded Haaland, former Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano has once again stirred up the hornet’s nest, this time training his guns on the Man City striker, Sports Brief reported.
The retired Italian international has claimed that the Manchester City striker does not know how to play football.
Going by Haaland’s numbers this season alone, it seems quite ironic for Cassano to level such a claim, but he insists he prefers strikers like Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be penalised for the vulgar, crotch-grabbing action he made during his final match for Al-Nassr, which caused so much uproar.
Against Al-Hilal on Tuesday, the Portuguese superstar had a disastrous performance that brought further scrutiny to his antics.
After delivering a tackle akin to those seen in Wrestling on a rival, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was fortunate to only receive a yellow card. Following this, Messi insults from the crowd continued.
Ronaldo appeared to react to those by grabbing his crotch in the direction of his tormentors, leading to widespread condemnation throughout the Middle East and calls for him to be expelled from the Saudi Pro League.
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Association has looked into the incident and delivered its verdict, with it determined that no further action is required.
The only penalty handed out by the committee is a 15,000 riyals fine, which his non-appealable, to Al-Nassr due to the late arrival of their players on the pitch for the start of the second-half.
Ronaldo escaped punishment as only official match football was reviewed – rather than the videos which have been posted on social media.
Al-Nassr were always confidentthat their iconic forward, who is the highest-paid player on the planet, would avoid any action as they claim that the 38-year-old was merely reacting to an injury he suffered in the groin region. They said: “Ronaldo suffers from an injury.
His challenge with Gustavo Cuellar, the Al-Hilal player, started with a blow in a very sensitive area.
This is confirmed information. As for the fans’ explanations, they are free to think whatever they want.”
Director of Napoli Cristiano Giuntoli has come forth and stated categorically that the team has no remorse over missing on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite holding a sizable lead at the top of Serie A, Gli Azzurri have struggled to score in recent games.
In the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against AC Milan on April 19, they faced their Italian rivals in an effort to overcome a 1-0 deficit.
AC Milan started with the same squad that beat Napoli 4-0 in a comprehensive performance earlier this month, while Napoli boss, Luciano Spaletti was forced to make several changes in the absence of Kim Min-jae and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – both through suspension – and Giovanni Simeone, who is still recovering from injury.
With Nigerian superstar, Victor Osimhen back in action from injury, it came as a slight boost for Napoli but they fell short in the second leg and could only manage a 1-1 draw.
‘We never thought of CR7’
Prior to the Champions League second leg, Giuntoli was asked about rumours Napoli wanted to sign Ronaldo over the summer, something he strongly denied.
“In all honesty, we never even thought about it. We had some financial parameters we needed to stick to and thought we could surprise people more with a group of lads who were eager to prove themselves,” he said, per FootballItalia.
However, there has been a general feeling that Al-Nassr has fallen off since the Portugal star’s arrival, with the club in danger of missing out on the league title despite being in pole position before Ronaldo had signed on.
Cristiano taunted with Messi chants
It was earlier reported on how Ronaldo was taunted with Messi chants by Al-Hilal fans on Tuesday, in a frustrating night for the veteran.
The Portuguese phenom’s side was dealt a crushing blow thanks to a brace from Nigerian striker, Idion Ighalo at the King Fahd International Stadium.
The result left Al-Nassr three points behind Saudi Pro League leaders, Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand and look set to claim this season’s crown.
&w=707&quality=100)
