Binance has partnered with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to launch a thrilling new challenge in search of the next “master of skills.”
The Proof of Skill Challenge invites participants to showcase their football talents on Instagram and TikTok, with the winner earning a coveted opportunity to attend an exclusive masterclass with Ronaldo himself.
Ronaldo shared the exciting news on X, stating, “We are looking for the next master of skills.⚽️🔥 Join the @binance ‘Proof of Skill’ Challenge and show us what you’ve got!”
The challenge encourages fans and aspiring players to demonstrate their exceptional abilities for a chance to meet the football legend and learn from his expertise.
Cristiano Ronaldo, widely celebrated for his football prowess, was honored with a special ‘GOAT’ jersey by Al Nassr ahead of their 1-1 draw against Al Ahli.
This gesture comes as Ronaldo recently surpassed the 900 career goals milestone, a testament to his remarkable career.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward achieved this milestone during an international fixture, where he scored the decisive goal in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia. Upon returning to Saudi Pro League action, Ronaldo was presented with a commemorative ‘GOAT’ jersey featuring the number 900, symbolizing his career goals tally.
The presentation was accompanied by a stunning tifo from Al Nassr fans, which displayed the messages ‘900 goals’ and ‘Only heroes achieve glory’ in the stands.
In the match against Al Ahli, Ronaldo’s team secured a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equalizer by Bassam Mohammed, following Franck Kessie’s goal for Al Ahli.
Ronaldo, who continues to chase the next milestone of 1000 career goals, recently added another achievement by scoring his 901st goal in a match against Scotland. This goal made him the first player to score against 48 different international teams.
Additionally, Ronaldo achieved a significant social media milestone, becoming the first individual to amass over 1 billion followers across platforms. His YouTube channel, ‘UR Cristiano,’ has also surpassed 61 million followers.
Breaking down his career goals, Ronaldo has scored the majority for Real Madrid, with 450 goals. He has also netted 145 goals for Manchester United, 131 for Portugal, 101 for Juventus, 68 for Al Nassr, and five for his youth club, Sporting CP.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made history, becoming the first athlete to surpass 1 billion followers across X, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
In a celebratory post on X, the global football icon expressed his gratitude to his fans, highlighting the significance of this milestone.
“We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers!” Ronaldo wrote, emphasizing that the achievement represents more than just a number but a “testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.”
Reflecting on his journey, the Portuguese superstar acknowledged his roots, from the streets of Madeira to the world’s grandest stages, stating that his motivation has always been for his family and his loyal supporters.
“I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together.”
Ronaldo expressed appreciation for the unwavering support he has received from his fans throughout his career, during both the highs and the lows.
“This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve,” he noted.
He concluded by promising more memorable moments ahead, saying, “The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together.”
We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.
From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1… pic.twitter.com/kZKo803rJo
Cristiano Ronaldo has called for a complete overhaul at Manchester United, stating that the club must “rebuild everything” if they hope to return to competing for football’s biggest prizes.
The Portuguese star, who left United for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in December 2022, was critical of current manager Erik ten Hag and the direction of the club in recent years.
In an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo questioned Ten Hag’s mentality and approach to managing one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
“The coach says they cannot compete to win the [Premier] League and Champions League,” Ronaldo said. “As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.”
While acknowledging that the club might not currently have the resources to challenge for those titles, Ronaldo stressed the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset.
“Mentally [you can] say maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try, you have to try,” he added.
Ronaldo’s comments come at a time when Manchester United are under pressure following a disappointing eighth-place finish last season—their worst in Premier League history—and two defeats in their opening three games of the current campaign.
United have struggled to find consistency since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, something Ronaldo also highlighted, saying there had been “no evolution” at the club since Ferguson’s departure.
Reflecting on his two spells at Old Trafford, Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with United during his first stint, expressed a deep affection for the club.
“What I wish for Manchester [United], it’s what I wish for me – [to be] the best team they can. I love that club… I’m not that kind of guy that forgot the past,” he remarked.
Ronaldo also pointed to the need for a comprehensive rebuild at United, emphasizing that changes must happen across all levels. “The club needs time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change,” he said. “The owners of the club are investing in the training ground, so I’m happy because things are changing. But if they don’t rebuild from the bottom, it will be impossible to compete.”
However, Ronaldo expressed optimism about the club’s recent decision to bring in former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff, suggesting his experience could help the manager turn things around. “If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can help himself,” Ronaldo said. “The people who understand football are the people who were there in the dressing room.”
The Portuguese legend emphasized the importance of drawing on the experience of United’s former players and legends. “You [Rio], or Roy Keane, or Paul Scholes, or Gary Neville, or Sir Alex Ferguson…you cannot rebuild a club without knowledge – not guys who work in [the] office,” Ronaldo added.
As the club looks to chart a new path under the influence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United, Ronaldo’s call for a complete rebuild reflects the pressing need for structural changes if the club is to return to its former glory.
For the first time since 2003,Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldowere excluded from the list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or, marking a significant shift in the football landscape.
Both players have dominated the prestigious award for nearly two decades, with Messi holding a record eight wins and Ronaldo five.
However, neither appeared among the 30 contenders announced on Wednesday for this year’s prize, which will be awarded on October 28.
This year’s nominees include notable talents such as Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane.
Vinicius and Bellingham played pivotal roles in Real Madrid’s La Liga victory and their 16th Champions League title last season, while Haaland was the Premier League’s top scorer, and Kane achieved the same feat in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich.
Mbappé also completed a long-anticipated transfer to Real Madrid this summer after six seasons at PSG.
Messi, currently recovering from an injury at Inter Miami, took home the Ballon d’Or last year. His first win came in 2009, kicking off a four-year streak of dominance, and his name first appeared on the nominee list in 2006.
Ronaldo made his debut as a Ballon d’Or nominee in 2004. Together, they captured the award 13 times between 2008 and 2021, turning it into a two-man contest for most of their careers.
On the women’s side, five players from the U.S. national team—Lindsey Horan, Alyssa Naeher, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson—were nominated, following their triumph in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Spain, despite finishing fourth at the Olympics, has five players nominated: Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Patri Guijarro, Salma Paralluelo, and Alexia Putellas.
Spanish players have won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the past three years, with Bonmatí claiming it in 2023 and Putellas winning twice before that.
England, the runner-up in the2023 World Cup final,also boasts three nominees: Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, and Lucy Bronze.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived in Monaco for the Champions League draw happening today.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 140 goals.
He was received by several fans who requested autographs.
The 36 UEFA Champions League hopefuls have been split into four pots for the league phase draw, which will be streamed live on UEFA.com from 18:00 CET.
Pot 1 Real Madrid (ESP) Manchester City (ENG) Bayern München (GER) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) Liverpool (ENG) Inter (ITA) Dortmund (GER) Leipzig (GER) Barcelona (ESP)
Pot 2 Leverkusen (GER) Atlético de Madrid (ESP) Atalanta (ITA) Juventus (ITA) Benfica (POR) Arsenal (ENG) Club Brugge (BEL) Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) AC Milan (ITA)
Pot 3 Feyenoord (NED) Sporting CP (POR) PSV Eindhoven (NED) GNK Dinamo (CRO) Salzburg (AUT) Lille (FRA) Crvena Zvezda (SRB) Young Boys (SUI) Celtic (SCO)
Pot 4 Slovan Bratislava (SVK) Monaco (FRA) Sparta Praha (CZE) Aston Villa (ENG) Bologna (ITA) Girona (ESP) Stuttgart (GER) Sturm Graz (AUT) Brest (FRA)
All 36 teams will be manually drawn using physical balls. For every team manually drawn, a designated automated software will randomly draw eight opponents across the four pots, who will be revealed on screen in the draw hall and on television. The software will also decide which matches will be at home and which ones away.
Portugal star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is a health freak and this has been general knowledge since he opted for water and not Coca-Cola at a press conference in June 2021 ahead of Portugal’s opening Euro 2020 game against Hungary in Budapest.
With an intense exercise routine, many expected that what he takes into his body would be a huge pile of healthy meals. As such, they expected his fridge to contain a mountain of fruits and vegetables, as well as some ‘concoctions’ just to stay in shape.
To their utter surprise, what was found in the star’s refrigerator were water with lemon and mint, URSU water, and several vegetables including carrots, bell peppers and strawberries.
According to Ronaldo, the most precious thing in life is good health.
In the comment section, users noted how the content of his fridge was ‘simple’ despite Ronaldo being rich. In contrast, they noted that not-so-well-to-do individuals fill their fridges with expensive items and not-so-healthy items such as alcoholic beverages.
“na poor man dey pack malt and fanta, juice full fridge,” a user wrote. Another added, “Just Water but na p00r man na sugar and alcohol go full everywhere.”
As Euro 2024 progresses, the highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown between Portugal and France promises to be a riveting contest. Both teams, considered tournament favorites, have had their fair share of struggles, particularly in their attacking departments.
Portugal’s journey to the quarterfinals has been a rollercoaster. The Selecao began with two victories but then suffered a surprising defeat to Georgia.
Their advancement to the quarterfinals was secured through a dramatic penalty shootout win over Slovenia. While Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have managed to find the back of the net, veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo has faced challenges in front of goal.
The 39-year-old, participating in a record sixth European Championship, missed a crucial penalty against Slovenia in extra time, leading to an emotional outburst.
Although Ronaldo converted in the subsequent shootout, his place in the lineup is under scrutiny as his goal-scoring prowess appears to be waning. Despite taking the most shots in the tournament (20), Ronaldo has not scored in his last eight Euro matches.
On the other side, France, pre-tournament favorites and two-time world champions, have also been underwhelming, failing to score from open play so far.
Kylian Mbappe, recovering from a broken nose sustained in the opener, scored a penalty against Poland, while France’s other two goals have been own goals by their opponents.
⚪️🤝🏻 Mbappé: “I have the opportunity to start my dream of playing for Real Madrid, I hope to write the history of Real Madrid”.
“But Cristiano's story at Real Madrid was unique. I hope to do something unique. I only have praise for him. We are in contact, he’s a legend”. pic.twitter.com/eAbFEgQVRa
Assistant coach Guy Stephan defended Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann amidst criticism, highlighting the difficulties Mbappe faces playing with a protective mask and the fatigue from a grueling season. Stephan emphasized Griezmann’s experience and contributions, noting his 133 caps and 44 goals for France.
Both teams’ misfiring forward lines will need to spark to life if they hope to advance. The winner of this contest will face either Germany or Spain in the semifinals in Munich.
Friday’s match is also a nostalgic rematch of the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal stunned host nation France with a 1-0 victory in extra time, thanks to Eder’s goal. France will be aiming for their third European Championship title, while Portugal seeks to add to their solitary 2016 triumph.
Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez has expressed serious concerns over pitch invasions after fans repeatedly entered the field during their 3-0 victory against Turkey at Euro 2024.
The match, held at Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, was interrupted several times as fans tried to take selfies with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
In total, five individuals breached the pitch, prompting security guards to chase and restrain each one, much to the frustration of players and spectators.
The disruptions began with a young boy who Ronaldo graciously hugged and posed with for a photograph.
However, the interruptions continued, causing visible annoyance, particularly when a fan entered the pitch while Portugal was preparing to defend a corner in the second half. Ronaldo, clearly irritated, had to push away another fan at full-time before being escorted off the pitch by security.
“It is a concern. Today the intentions of the fans were good. We all love a fan who recognises the big stars and icons,” Martinez said post-match.
“But you [must] understand there’s a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong. We need to be careful. It shouldn’t happen – there’s a lot of security. We should give a message to the fans also because it is not the right way. It may get worse for the future. It’s not good to have the players so exposed on the pitch.”
Despite the disruptions, Portugal’s Bernardo Silva seemed less alarmed, describing the invasions as more of an annoyance than a threat.
“It’s just a bit annoying in terms of always having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch,” Silva commented. “I think that’s the price you pay for being so recognised in the world of football and having a player like [Ronaldo] with us in the team. But in terms of being in danger, no I don’t feel that personally.”
The situation has raised questions about the adequacy of security at Westfalenstadion, especially since the venue is slated to host a semi-final match.
Ian Dennis, senior football reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live, noted, “The security here has been lacking and this stadium will host a semi-final – they’re going to have to tighten it up.”
Uefa’s disciplinary body is expected to review reports from match officials before deciding on any potential actions.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted two goals, leading Portugal to a 3-0 victory over Ireland on Tuesday in their final warm-up match before Roberto Martinez’s squad heads to the European Championship in Germany.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo’s second-half brace came after Joao Felix opened the scoring at Aveiro Municipal Stadium, located south of Porto.
Next Tuesday, Portugal will face the Czech Republic in Leipzig. The team will also compete against Turkey and Georgia in Group F.
Ronaldo, who missed last week’s friendlies against Finland and Croatia, hit the post with a free kick in the 22nd minute shortly after Felix’s goal. He then found the net in the 50th and 60th minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo shattered another record as he led Al-Nassr to a memorable 4-2 victory over Al-Ittihad in their final league game of the season.
Ronaldo scored twice, breaking the record for the most goals in a single Saudi Pro League season with his 35th goal, surpassing Moroccan forward Abderrazak Hamdallah’s 2018-19 tally of 34 goals.
The 39-year-old’s performance also brought his personal goal count to 50 in 50 games for Al-Nassr in the 2023-24 season. Additionally, the team surpassed the 100-goal mark in the league for the first time in their history.
🟡 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 🔵
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks the Saudi League Record for most goals in a season 🤩 He reached now 35 Goals/31 Games. 🔥
Media reports suggest that Ronaldo may be offered a new deal after his record-breaking season, potentially extending his stay in the Middle East beyond his 40th birthday.
Ronaldo will next be seen in action on Friday when Al-Nassr faces unbeaten Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal in the King Cup final.
Reacting to his achievement, Ronaldo posted on X: “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me.”
Former Germany teammate Mario Gomez has likenedMesut Ozilto “a little Cristiano” following his remarkable transformation since retiring from professional football.
Throughout his playing career, Ozil was often criticized for being lightweight and lacking in aggression, despite his successes with clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal and winning the World Cup in 2014.
Known for his laid-back style of playmaking, the 35-year-old has now significantly bulked up, spending more time in the gym than ever before.
Even former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has been impressed by Ozil’s physical transformation, commenting “bro not bad” on one of his social media posts.
Gomez has now had his say on the new hulking version of Ozil, telling the Phrasenmaher podcast: “First of all, it’s admirable how he pulls it off.
However, I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good. I don’t know what his mission is behind this.
“It looks a bit crass and wouldn’t be my thing – but that’s not the point. When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you. Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym.
During his team’s 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing an opponent.
Ronaldo, aged 39, was dismissed on the 86th minute for allegedly swinging his elbow twice into the chest of Ali Al Bulayhi, causing him to fall to the ground.
After the incident, Ronaldo was seen raising his fist towards the referee before leaving the field. This marks Ronaldo’s first red card since joining Al-Nassr in December 2022.
— Kalounji Ntale 👨🏿🦲 🇺🇬 (@KalounjiNtale) April 9, 2024
At the time of the expulsion, Al-Nassr was trailing 2-0, with goals scored by Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom, while former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane managed to pull one back in stoppage time.
Three-time champions Al-Hilal will face Al-Ittihad in the final on Thursday. Al-Ittihad secured their spot in the final by defeating Al-Wehda 2-1 in the earlier semi-final, with goals from former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema and Morocco forward Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed the incident where he was suspended for a Saudi Pro League game due to an obscene gesture, referring to it as a “misunderstanding.”
He also acknowledged his continuous efforts to improve himself, stating, “Every day I try to be a better man.”
The Al Nassr and Portugal captain received a one-match ban from the Saudi Arabia Football Federation for allegedly provoking rival fans with a gesture after his team’s 3-2 league victory over Riyadh rival Al Shabab on Feb. 25.
Ronaldo, aged 39, served the suspension by missing his team’s subsequent league match, a 4-4 draw with Al Hazm.
“I take this opportunity to talk about the case in which I was punished for a game,” Ronaldo said in a news conference.
“What I did was a misunderstanding. I will always respect the cultures of all countries, but what people see is not always reality.”
This wasn’t the first instance in which the former Real Madrid star has been riled up in Saudi Arabia after being taunted by rival fans chanting Lionel Messi’s name.
“Sometimes the passion of the game leads us to make some mistakes, but everyone makes mistakes,” Ronaldo said. “Whenever I make them, I don’t do it on purpose. Every day I try to be a better man.”
Asked if he could improve his behaviour, Ronaldo said: “I can’t promise because I’m a human being. Nobody is perfect. Life is made of mistakes.
“What I can promise is that I am a player who gives everything on the field, a player with passion, a player who always wants to win. I’m a player who doesn’t like to see people doing unsportsmanlike things … I am happy to bein Saudi Arabia and happy to represent Al Nassr.”
After a summer of lavish spending, the Saudi Pro League is in full swing and some of the high-profile arrivals are already strutting their stuff in the Middle East.
With the division now on a winter break until February, we take a look at how the division’s Golden Boot race is shaping up.
Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed an incredible start to the season with Al-Nassr, notching 20 goals in just 18 appearances. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a hat-trick against Al-Fateh in August and has also bagged a quartet of braces, failing to score in only four matches this term. Ronaldo has nine assists to his name too, the joint-highest tally in the division.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has taken no time to find his feet in Saudi Arabia. The Serbian striker joined current leaders Al-Hilal from Fulham in August and has scored 17 times in as many league appearances. He netted a memorable hat-trick against Al-Ittihad back in September to secure a priceless 4-3 win.
Former Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou is enjoying a stunning season with Damac and will be hoping to shine for Cameroon at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The 28-year-old has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances and netted a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Abha in November. N’Koudou has only failed to score in seven league matches this term and also boasts four assists to his name.
Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al-Buraikan started the season brightly with Al-Fateh, netting four times in five appearances. The 23-year-old then joined Al-Ahli in September and has continued to deliver the goods in the final third, adding seven more goals to his tally in 12 appearances. His impressive displays have even kept ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino out of the Jeddah-based side’s starting XI.
Brazilian maestro Anderson Talisca missed four of Al-Nassr’s first five games of the season but has returned to full fitness with a bang. The ex-Benfica ace has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances, including a run of eight goals in six matches between September and October. Talisca boasts a superb record of 63 goals from 81 matches in all competitions since joining Al-Nassr in May 2021.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 1,200th professional match by scoring a goal and providing an assist for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
In a 4-1 victory over Al-Riyadh, the 38-year-old tapped in a cross from Sadio Mane and later set up Otavio.
Ronaldo, who is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 16 goals in 15 games this season, expressed gratitude for reaching the milestone and hinted that he’s “not done yet.”
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton holds the record for the most competitive professional appearances in the men’s game with 1,387.
The Saudi Pro League confirmed on social media that Ronaldo had reached the milestone and the player later posted on Instagram.
“Three more points! Thankful to all my team-mates who helped me reach my 1,200th match. What a ride, but we’re not done yet.”
Ronaldo achieved another remarkable feat when he scored in February 2020 during his 1,000th senior appearance while playing for Juventus in Serie A.
In June, he made history as the first men’s player to reach 200 international appearances, accomplishing this milestone in a match for Portugal against Iceland. Additionally, he holds the title of the top international goal scorer with an impressive tally of 128 goals.
When it comes to club career appearances, Ronaldo stands at the summit for all-time appearances in the Champions League with 183 games, representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Further solidifying his legendary status, Ronaldo became the first player to reach the milestone of scoring 800 top-level career goals, achieving this feat while playing for Manchester United in December 2021. Since then, he has surpassed the 850-goal mark.
Despite Ronaldo’s individual achievements, Al-Nassr remains in second place in the table, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by seven points.
Sadio Mane received a celebratory tribute from Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates for achieving another significant milestone while on international duty with Senegal.
Following his return from the international break in excellent condition, the former Liverpool forward is geared up for Al-Nassr’s upcoming match in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr players celebrate Sadio Mane
Mane reached the notable milestone of 100 appearances for the Teranga Lions against Tanzania, where he showcased his prowess with a two-goal performance.
A video posted on social media by Al Nassr Zone captures the moment when the club’s captain, Ronaldo, and other teammates surprised Mane with a commemorative gesture for his achievement during the international break.
The celebratory cake featured an image of the former Bayern Munich star adorned in the colours of Senegal, accompanied by the emblems of the Teranga Lions and Al-Nassr.
Mayorga accused Ronaldo, then 24, of sexual assault in a Las Vegas hotel room.
Ronaldo, asserting the encounter was consensual, settled with Mayorga and her lawyer, Leslie Mark Stovall, for $335,000 (£267,000) in 2010.
In 2017, Stovall, representing Mayorga, sought an increase in the settlement to over $25 million, citing conspiracy, defamation, breach of contract, coercion, and fraud. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey rejected this request in June 2022, prompting Stovall to file an appeal.
Mayorga’s lawyer not only appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the dismissal but also argued that Judge Dorsey had improperly dismissed the case.
Stovall contended that the judge should not have denied Mayorga’s claims to make the 2010 confidentiality agreement public.
However, on Tuesday, a three-judge panel from the San Francisco-based court sided with Ronaldo, rejecting Mayorga’s claim. Additionally, they imposed a substantial $335,000 fine against Stovall, a rare step in cases of this nature.
An excerpt of Tuesday’s six-page ruling reads as follows: “The district court clearly recognised the gravity of dismissing the case and accordingly provided a thorough analysis, amply supported by factual findings.
[The 2010 settlement] lay dormant until 2017, when… `Football Leaks’ released hundreds of documents through a cyber hack of Ronaldo’s former attorneys.
Despite the settlement and confidentiality agreement between Ronaldo and Mayorga, Stovall sought and used documents from ‘Football Leaks’ —including those clearly marked attorney-client privileges—to prosecute a new lawsuit on behalf of Mayorga against Ronaldo.
“Judge Dorsey properly held that Ronaldo did not waive or otherwise forfeit his claim of attorney-client privilege as to the ‘Football Leaks’ documents. Before the leak, his attorneys employed cybersecurity tools to protect their files.
“As the district court noted, Ronaldo mistakenly produced the course of ‘navigating this unorthodox predicament,’ kicked off by Mayorga’s counsel’s ‘unprincipled conduct’ long before, and instituted vigorous efforts to protect the documents afterwards. The district court did not abuse its discretion when it found that a case-terminating sanction was appropriate.”
With Mayorga’s appeal not only rejected but also penalised in the form of a hefty fine for Stovall, it seems unlikely that this case will be re-opened anytime soon. It could represent the end of a case that has lasted over 14 years in its entirety.
The Saudi Pro League is in full swing after a summer of extravagant spending, and the race for the Golden Boot is heating up with some high-profile arrivals making their mark in the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an explosive start to the season with Al-Nassr, scoring an impressive 11 goals in just nine appearances. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner showcased his prowess by netting a hat-trick against Al-Fateh in August and a match-winning brace against title rivals Al-Ahli last month.
Ronaldo has also contributed five assists, making him the joint-second highest assist provider in the division.
striker Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted no time adapting to Saudi Arabia. He joined the league leaders, Al-Hilal, from Fulham in August and has already notched seven goals in eight league matches.
His highlight was a spectacular hat-trick against Al-Ittihad at the beginning of September, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Moussa Dembele made a memorable debut by scoring against Al-Nassr, and he has continued to impress for Al-Ettifaq, finding the net seven times in eight matches.
His partnership with fellow summer signing Jordan Henderson has been fruitful, and he will play a pivotal role in Steven Gerrard’s debut season as manager.
Morocco international Mourad Batna, who joined Al-Fateh in 2020, is on track to surpass his previous season’s record of 10 goals.
The 33-year-old has already scored seven times in 10 appearances and added five assists, significantly contributing to Al-Fateh’s sixth-place position in the table.
Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca, despite missing four of Al-Nassr’s initial five games, has made a resounding return to full fitness. He has scored six goals in as many games, finding the net in each of his last five league appearances.
Talisca boasts an impressive record of 54 goals in 69 matches across all competitions since joining Al-Nassr in May 2021.
Malcom, the second-most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history, is delivering for Al-Hilal with six goals in 10 games. His league debut included a memorable hat-trick against Abha in August, and he has played a crucial role in maintaining his team’s unbeaten start to the campaign, despite a recent goal drought.
Sadio Mane, after a challenging spell at Bayern Munich, made a strong start in Al-Nassr colors by scoring six times in his first six league appearances. While he hasn’t found the back of the net in his last four games, it’s only a matter of time before he rediscovers his scoring touch. In the meantime, he has provided two assists, one each for Ronaldo and Talisca.
Salem Al-Dawsari has had a remarkable start to the season, bagging six goals in 10 league appearances. The 32-year-old, who famously scored the winner for Saudi Arabia against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, has been a product of Al-Hilal’s youth system and has amassed 88 goals in 368 matches for the club since his senior debut in 2011.
His six goals this season came in four consecutive games, and he’s looking to add to his tally after a scoring hiatus since a 6-1 victory over Al-Riyadh on September 15.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou is enjoying a resurgence at Damac after joining from Besiktas on a free transfer in the summer. The former Tottenham winger has scored in his last four league matches, including a goal against high-flying Al-Nassr.
N’Koudou is aiming to earn a spot in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January based on his impressive domestic form.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared his sentiments about his legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi while representing the Portugal national team. Ronaldo, now 38 years old, expressed nostalgia as he reflected on their illustrious careers.
During his discussion, Ronaldo was asked about Messi’s current stint with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and his own prolific goal-scoring performances for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Both players continue to capture headlines outside of Europe as they enter the twilight of their remarkable careers.
Ronaldo, known for his professionalism, displayed immense respect for Messi, who is 36 years old. Their mutual admiration for each other has always been evident, despite the worldwide debate over whether one must choose between the two football icons.
In his response, Cristiano Ronaldo also added a touch of self-praise by discussing himself in the third person, a characteristic that has become synonymous with CR7. Some things, it seems, never change.
“The rivalry is over,” Ronaldo said. “It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot. Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice-versa because they’re both very good. They changed the history of football, and they keep on doing it.”
“We are respected throughout the world, that’s the most important thing. He makes his way, I make mine, even if we are playing outside Europe. He has done well, from what I’ve seen, and so have I. It’s about continuing. The legacy continues. The rivalry, I don’t see things like that. I’ve already said, we’ve shared the stage for 15 years and we ended up being, I wouldn’t say friends, because I never dined with him, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”
While Ronaldo and Messi may not engage in the debate, the discussion over who holds the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) will persist indefinitely.
Why? Because throughout their careers, these two football icons have been polar opposites. Messi, the cerebral maestro who embodied Barcelona, and Ronaldo, the mechanical marvel who epitomized Real Madrid, played the game in entirely distinct ways, both achieving dominance on their own terms.
There’s an abundance of admiration for both Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to their on-field performances, and it’s entirely possible to appreciate and love both of them and their unique playing styles simultaneously. There’s no need to make an exclusive choice.
Yet, for most individuals, choosing one or the other as the GOAT remains inevitable. However, it’s essential to recognize that you don’t have to make that choice. This is the message Cristiano Ronaldo is conveying.
The compelling nature of this rivalry stems from the fact that these two players have coexisted and reigned supreme simultaneously. Unlike Pele and Diego Maradona, whose careers didn’t overlap, the fact that these two GOAT contenders have not only coexisted but continue to do so is what draws us to compare and contrast.
It’s akin to having Tom Brady and Joe Montana playing in the same era and attempting to pick a favorite. People will inevitably make their choices, but you don’t have to. Instead, sit back and savor the remarkable journey, even as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi now ply their trade on opposite sides of the globe as they bring their incredible careers to a close.
Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds a pessimistic view regarding Portugal’s chances of winning the World Cup.
Although his perspective may potentially evolve in the future, at present, he does not believe that Portugal possesses the necessary attributes to secure a World Cup victory.
During a recent lie detector test conducted in collaboration with Binance, a global company renowned for operating the largest cryptocurrency exchange in terms of daily trading volume, Ronaldo attempted to conceal his true sentiments regarding this matter.
“Will Portugal win the World Cup?” the interrogator, Andy, asked.
Don (left) and Andy (right)
Ronaldo replied, “Yes.”
But the lie detector ruled “Lie”. Not so optimistic Ronaldo then added “What a pessimist, huh?”.
Cristiano Ronaldo held high hopes of guiding Portugal to a deep run in the 2022 World Cup and ultimately clinching the coveted trophy. However, his aspirations were dashed.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the pitch in tears as Portugal’s journey in the 2022 World Cup concluded with a quarterfinal defeat to Morocco. It was likely Ronaldo’s final appearance in a World Cup tournament, marking his last opportunity to secure football’s most prestigious prize.
Reflecting on this, Cristiano Ronaldo shared on Instagram, “The dream was beautiful as long as it lasted,” hinting at the possibility of retirement. Argentina beat France to win the 2022 World Cup, cementing Messi’s Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) tag.
In addition to these insights, Ronaldo also expressed his belief that the Premier League is the toughest league in the world. Furthermore, he regarded his bicycle kick goal as his finest ever, describing it as “the best goal— the most challenging and the most beautiful.”
Ronaldo affirmed his intention to continue playing professional football well into his forties.
Contrary to popular belief among Ronaldo fans, the football icon admitted to indulging in fast food frequently. Moreover, he conceded that he occasionally snores, a revelation confirmed by the lie detector, which detected more snoring than he had realized.
However, one lingering question remains: Would Ronaldo exchange all his Champions League medals for a World Cup trophy?
The Saudi Pro League has undergone a remarkable transformation, elevating itself from its previous standing to emerge as a formidable entity in the realm of football.
This transformation owes much to the inclusion of the legendary Portuguese football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
His arrival has triggered an exponential surge in the league’s reputation, causing sceptics to reassess their initial doubts.
The influence exerted by Ronaldo on the league, both prior to and after his entrance, is monumental.
His mere presence has elevated what was once regarded as a modest league into one that now commands reverence even from the established powerhouses of European football.
Ronaldo’s prophetic declaration that the Saudi League would ascend to join the ranks of the world’s top five leagues no longer appears implausible.
Even those who previously dismissed this notion have been compelled to amend their viewpoints.
Carlo Nohra, the chief of operations for theSaudi Pro League, recently illuminated the profound positive impact of Ronaldo’s participation.
According to Nohra, the league’s revenue has surged by a staggering 650 percent since Ronaldo’s inclusion.
Furthermore, the league’s broadcast coverage has expanded to encompass an impressive 140 countries, indicating a substantial global outreach.
In December 2022, Ronaldo embarked on his own journey to Saudi Arabia by joining Al-Nassr, securing a staggering contract valued at 200 million Euros annually.
This pivotal move triggered a chain reaction, prompting other prominent football figures, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Mane, Mahres, Mendy, Kante, Ruben Neves, Firmino, Yassin Bono, and Azmeric Laporte, to also venture into the Saudi Pro League.
A recent interview with Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked a surge of online discussions, placing him and his perceived rival Lionel Andres Messi as the top trends on the social media platform, Twitter.
Ronaldo’s comments in the interview, which many interpreted as a slight against Messi, have ignited a Twitter battle between the two football icons. Published late on Monday, July 17, 2023, the interview saw Ronaldo asserting that the Saudi league surpasses America’s Major League Soccer in terms of quality.
During the interview, Ronaldo credited himself as a major catalyst for the growing interest of footballers in the Saudi Arabian league. He highlighted how his presence and influence in the league have enticed some of the sport’s biggest stars to choose the Middle East over European football.
“My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It’s a fact. When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes he generates higher interest”.
“Saudi league is better than MLS. I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league… and now all the players are coming here”, he said.
As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement has sparked intense debates on social media, with many perceiving it as a direct jab at Lionel Messi, who recently made a move to the MLS side Inter Miami.
Fans of both footballers have engaged in passionate arguments on various social media platforms regarding Ronaldo’s claim. Messi’s supporters view Ronaldo’s statement as petty and unworthy of his stature as a football icon.
On the other hand, Ronaldo’s fans stand by his assertion, believing that the Saudi League currently outshines the MLS.
In other news, Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr, suffered a 5-0 defeat against Celta Vigo in a pre-season friendly match.
Ronaldo thinks players are joining the Saudi Pro League cos he's there, lolz. He's truly one of the best in the game, but he d!dn't open the league or influence anyone. Just like him, people are moving to Saudi due to the higher pay & opportunities. The league !sn't even a Top 5.
This is the type of character I love none of that midget fake pretending humble image in front of media he is as real as it gets 🐐 LOVE HIM. https://t.co/5jzCTohUzX
Ronaldo is right. The way the Saudi League is growing it will be better than the MLS soon. The simple fact is they are buying top players in their prime where as the MLS model is to buy those at the end of their career.
Cristiano Ronaldo🗣️: "Saudi league is better than MLS".
His team just lost 5-0 to Celta Vigo he is worried about MLS because Messi is there. I genuinely tried to like this man, but I can never like such a jealous and petty individual. pic.twitter.com/ZalZsLflf8
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Averio, has dismissed reports claiming that her son is set to end his relationship with long time partner, Georgina Rodriguez.
Per reports, the couple is experiencing some hiccups and this might end their relationship.
According to Dolores Averio, the two love birds are having some challenges which is normal for any couple.
However, she denied the fact that the duo intend to split up due to their issues.
“It’s all lies. Every couple argues, but what’s been written is a lie.”
She is of the view that “the jealous one invents a rumour, the gossipy one spreads it and the idiot believes it.”
Also, Filipa Castro, Cristiano’s friend, has defended the couple.
She said: “I can affirm from a 100 percent reliable source that they are as always doing very well. This is just stories, gossip, made up by people who can’t stand Gio. They are a couple who have love to give and give away.”
Ronaldo, 38, and Rodriguez, 29, have been together for seven years and their relationship has seemed to be growing strong, with their bond on display in Georgina’s Netflix series ‘Soy Georgina.’
Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, wants to witness a LaLiga matchup between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before both players hang up their boots.
Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona before departing on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. He has been frequently linked with a return to the club.
Prior to playing for Juventus, Manchester United, and currently Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, Ronaldo had nine trophy-filled seasons at Real Madrid.
Although there hasn’t been much discussion about Ronaldo returning to Spain’s top division, Cerezo thinks it would be in the league’s best interest if the two star attackers did.
“It would seem fantastic to me if Messi returned to the league, the same as Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said while attending the Barcelona Open tennis final on Sunday.
“Both are still playing and it would be fantastic if they returned.”
Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico’s 1-0 loss to Barcelona, which leaves Diego Simeone’s side 16 points adrift of the leaders and five behind second-place Real Madrid.
Yannick Carrasco played a full part for Atletico, though he may find himself at Barcelona next season as the Catalan giants have the option to sign the versatile wide player.
“Yannick is a very good player, fantastic,” Cerezo said when asked about Carrasco’s future.
“In the world of football, there are people who want to achieve many things and don’t get to, and others who don’t want anything and get it. I don’t know [what will happen next].”
On Thursday, the social media behemoth started deleting the formerly-desired blue tick verification from thousands of accounts.
Elon Musk, the owner, is overhauling the social media company in an effort to make a profit.
Users must spend $84 (£67) per year to subscribe to Twitter Blue in order to keep the check next to their name.
Others kept their ticks while some lost theirs. Despite saying he would not pay to be verified, LeBron James still has a blue tick which is a “complimentary subscription” gifted by Elon Musk.
The billionaire confirmed Stephen King and William Shatner also got the same deal.
Elon Musk reveals he is ‘personally paying’ the Twitter Blue subscriptions of some celebrities to keep their checkmark, such as Lebron James and Stephen King. pic.twitter.com/ulLvwOyLIn
“The fact that we’re even discussing Blue check marks is a Sad moment in society,” he posted.
The company first introduced the verification feature in 2009, after a former professional baseball player sued the social media giant over imposter accounts.
The blue check became a status symbol and a sign of authority. But in the new Twitter-verse, Mr Musk wants users to pay to be verified.
The decision to monetise verification could usher in a massive cultural and power shift on the platform.
In the days before verification, Kanye West, Shaq and Ewan McGregor were among the first celebrities to speak out about being impersonated on Twitter. Now that the badges are gone, a celebrity’s follower count may become the only way to tell the difference between someone famous and an imposter.
Within a few hours of losing verification, an account posing as Hillary Clinton, complete with the same profile picture as the former US Senator, “announced” she would again run for the presidency.
Under Twitter’s new verification scheme, gold, grey and blue badges are meant to provide more context to how an account was verified.
But the lack of verification is already causing confusion. In New York City, a new handle has claimed to be the “authentic Twitter account” representing the government.
Experts warn these are the kind of tweets that could lead to the spread of misinformation.
Mr Musk has tried to frame the decision to do away with verification as a way to democratise content on the site. But critics have argued the move will amplify disinformation as Twitter Blue subscribers will get prioritised rankings – Mr Musk has said that only verified accounts will appear in the site’s prominent For You stream.
Social media monitors and experts fear the rise in paid verification will lead to an amplification of misinformation on the site. If that were to happen, it could scare off yet more advertisers – and undermine any extra revenue Twitter is getting from its verification subscription model.
But Mr Musk said pain is a part of change.
“I feel like we’re headed to a good place,” he told BBC News. “Overall, I think the trend is very good.”
PSG supporters praised Lionel Messi after he tied Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals scored in the top five leagues in Europe. Currently, both the Portuguese and the Argentine have scored 495 goals.
Messi completed a play that he initiated by scoring his team’s third goal of the game. The goal was made possible by a fantastic assist from Kylian Mbappe.
In their Ligue 1 matchup against Lens, the top-of-the-table Parisians prevailed 3-1. Together with Messi, Mbappe and Vitinha also scored goals for the French powerhouses.
With the performance, Messi maintained his strong run of form this year. In 34 games across tournaments this season, the Argentine has now scored 20 goals and given 18 assists.
Christophe Galtier’s team, meanwhile, went nine points clear of Lens with the win. They now have 72 points on the board from 31 matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic appearance for Portugal was lavishly hailed by Al Nassr.
Given his unwavering dedication to his sport, Ronaldo might not have eaten the cake he was given on Friday.
Al Nassr was jubilant with the 38-year-old breaking the record for most men’s international appearances.
On March 23, when Ronaldo made his 197th appearance for Portugal, he scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein.
Al Nassr commemorated that accomplishment as well as Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s 25th birthday.
“Today, we celebrate a record and birthday,” the club tweeted. “The record of most capped player in international football [and] the birthday of a talented Saudi player.”
In the Euro 2024 qualifying match, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 6-0 victory away at Luxembourg.
Ronaldo scored first, and subsequent goals from Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva made it 3-0 within of 18 minutes. Ronaldo then added another goal shortly after the halfway point.
Otavio and Rafael Leao, who came on as substitutes in the second half of Portugal’s 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein to begin their qualification campaign and the tenure of new head coach Roberto Martinez, sealed another easy victory for Portugal.
After two games, they are two points ahead of Slovakia in second place in Group J thanks to their victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Portugal took the lead in the ninth minute when a ball to the far post from Bruno Fernandes was headed back across goal by Nuno Mendes, giving Ronaldo a simple tap-in from close range.
The advantage was doubled just six minutes later, as this time Silva’s inswinging ball from the right was nodded across Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris and into the corner of the net by Joao Felix.
Silva got on the end of a long pass from Joao Palhinha to head in the third, while Ronaldo grabbed his second and Portugal’s fourth in the 31st minute when Fernandes played him through on goal, with the Al Nassr striker placing his left-foot shot low to Moris’ right.
Portugal had another in the 77th minute when Leao and Otavio combined, with the latter heading home the Milan attacker’s cross from the left.
Leao saw a late penalty saved by Moris after winning it himself, but made up for it shortly after when his run inside from the left ended with a composed finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he considered international retirement following the World Cup in Qatar.
Portugal crashed out at the quarter-final stage after defeat against Morocco, with Ronaldo losing his spot in the starting line-up for the knockout stages.
Fernando Santos dropped Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 tie against Switzerland, with his replacement Goncalo Guedes scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo would continue as a substitute for the clash with Morocco, which almost spelled the end of his Portugal career.
“I’m not going to lie. In our life, we have to put everything on the scale,” Ronaldo said ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
“We thought, we reflected, me and my family, but then we came to the conclusion that, despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations at different angles. I learned a lot from that.
“I’m glad to be back. Roberto Martinez showed that he counted on me. I’ve always wanted to play. As you know, he talked to everyone and to me, too. And I was able to realise that I have a lot to give to the national team.
“I feel it, I want it, and my desire is to take Portugal to the highest level. I will always give my contribution when they need me.”
O ritmo não abranda, o objetivo não muda: 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 💪🇵🇹 #VesteABandeira
Portugal begin their qualification campaign for Euro 2024 under new stewardship following the appointment of Martinez, which Ronaldo expects to lead to a more attacking approach.
“There are a lot of different players, possibly the system will change, but it’s not for me to talk about it,” he said.
“Changes are good in life. What we feel in the national team is very positive. It feels like something special and positive. The intensity is very good, it’s different.
“I’m sure the national team will be prepared for whatever comes. I’m sure Portugal will be a team with more attacking.”
Every year, records are broken in the Champions League, which has hosted some of the world’s best teams and players since 1992.
Dominating on Europe’s biggest stage is a sure-fire way to go down in history as the pinnacle of club football.
This article examines the competition’s all-time goal scorers to determine which star has shone the brightest.
5. Raul (71 goals)
Real Madrid and Spain legend Raul sat comfortably at the top of the scorers’ table with 71 goals when he retired.
But in recent years the Spaniard has been knocked down to fifth on the list, most recently by Frenchman and fellow Los Blancos star Karim Benzema.
Raul had a highly-decorated career, winning the Champions League three times with his hometown club and being named the illustrious competition’s top scorer twice.
4. Karim Benzema (89 goals)
Karim Benzema’s goalscoring form shows no signs of stopping
Benzema is the fourth-highest scorer in Europe’s top club football competition and another strike in the second-leg victory over Liverpool has him edging closer to the top three.
Now 35, the Frenchman scored for Lyon on his tournament debut when he was just 17 years old.
His goals have helped Real be crowned European champions five times during his time at the Bernabeu but, with three prolific marksmen ahead of him, Benzema may not retire on the podium in this contest.
3. Robert Lewandowski (91 goals)
Robert Lewandowski added five goals to his Champions League tally this season
Bayern Munich great Robert Lewandowski reached the 80-goal mark in record time after taking just 100 games — two fewer than the next man on this list.
The Pole’s 15 goals in the 2019-2020 edition saw him take the Golden Boot and lead his side to the title.
But he will not have a chance to close in on his century with Barcelona failing to reach the knockout stage this season.
2. Lionel Messi (129 goals)
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has continued to dazzle at Paris Saint-Germain
Argentine maestro Lionel Messi has graced the Champions League plenty of times since 2005 and is third in the all-time appearances list.
Spending the majority of his career playing for his childhood team Barca, he has racked up a century of goals and lifted the famous trophy four times.
And he has kept up his exploits at Paris Saint-Germain but has not yet been able to end the French outfit’s wait for continental success.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (140 goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored numerous important Champions League goals
The Portuguese international has netted 140 times for three clubs, with the majority coming during his time at Real.
Ronaldo has appeared in 183 games in the competition since debuting for Manchester United in 2003.
With four Champions League titles under his belt from his time at Madrid and another from the Red Devils, the striker is one of the most decorated players ever.
Ex-Juventus star Ronaldo, 38, also became the first-ever player to score in two finals for two different winning teams — bagging the opener for United in 2008 and a 120th-minute penalty for Real in 2014.
Lionel Messi is the toughest opponent that legendaryReal Madrid defender Marcelo Vieira has ever faced. During their time in Spain, Messi, who was then playing for Barcelona, and the 34-year-old, who spent nearly two decades with Los Blancos, frequently ran into one another.
In one of their 2017 matches, Marcelo claimed credit for Leo Messi’s last-second goal on a counterattack, which led to a heartbreaking loss for Real Madrid.
“It was a mistake, it could happen to anyone, but I take the blame for the goal,” the Brazilian said via MARCA.
It thus comes as little to no surprise Marcelo picked the former Barcelona talisman as the toughest opponent he has encountered during an interview session at his unveiling as a new Fluminese player. When quizzed about his “toughest opponent”, the Madrid icon answered: “Messi.”
The 34-year-old’s career truly blossomed once he swapped his native Brazil for Spain.
He becameReal Madrid’s most decorated player, winning 25 trophies during his time with Los Blancos, per Reuters. Marcelo played 546 games for Madrid, notched 38 goals and provided 103 assists.
He spent 16 years with the Spanish giants before signing as a free agent for Olympiacos in Greece, which lasted for only 10 games.
Marcelo terminates Olympiacos contract
Meanwhile, Marcelo’s stint in Greece after leaving Real Madrid ended abruptly following the termination of his contract with Olympiacos.
The Real Madrid legend joined Olympiacos on a free transfer last summer after bringing an end to his 16-trophy-laden years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In his brief stint in Greece, he made 10 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions for Olympiacos this season, according to Transfermarket.
Marcelo copies Ronaldo’s ‘Siuu’ celebration
Sports Brief also reported that Marcelo Oliviera stole Cristiano Ronaldo’s infamous ‘SIUU’ celebration as he scored for Olympiacos in the Greek Cup on Wednesday night. Olympiacos advanced to the quarterfinals of the Cup competition after drawing 2-2 with Atromitos at the Peristeri Stadium.
The 34-year-old paid a tribute to his formerReal Madrid teammate, Ronaldo, by hitting the legendary forward’s iconic goal celebration.
With a 2-1 victory over Al Taawoun, Cristiano Ronaldo assisted on both of Al Nassr’s goals as they climbed to the top of the Saudi Premier League.
The Saudi champions will compete in the Club World Cup later this year as a representative of the host nation, it was announced this week.
Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, followed up his four-goal performance against Al Wehda with another game-winning goal on Friday. Ronaldo will undoubtedly be anxious to play in FIFA’s premier club competition.
Having teed up Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s 17th-minute opener, Ronaldo supplied his second assist of the game to set up Abdullah Madu for Al Nassr’s winner with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.
Ronaldo’s first assist was a wonderful, first-time, sweeping pass into the path of Ghareeb, who still had work to do to shrug off his marker and beat Al Taawoun’s goalkeeper.
The 38-year-old Ronaldo might not have known too much about his touch for the winner as he, perhaps unintentionally, cushioned a team-mate’s shot back for Madu to drill into a gaping net, with the VAR awarding the goal after Ronaldo was initially flagged for offside.
The victory took Al Nassr back above Al Ittihad on goal difference.
“Top of the league and three important points,” Ronaldo tweeted after the match. “Great team work!”
The 26-player shortlist for the FIFPro Men’s Team of the Year for 2022 has been released by FIFA, and it includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.
After a challenging second half of the season in which he was released by both Manchester United and Portugal and ultimately parted ways with the Red Devils in November, Ronaldo’s inclusion was undoubtedly the biggest surprise.
Since 2007, the Portuguese superstar has consistently made the Team of the Year alongside Lionel Messi, but he will face tough competition from attackers Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
Last year, Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski, and Messi were the only four forwards to make the final XI.
🪄 Shortlists for the Men’s and Women’s #World11 have now been revealed.
World Cup stars Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez are named in the shortlist for the first time in midfield, alongside Casemiro, Kevin de Bruyne, Gavi, Luka Modric, Pedri and Federico Valverde.
The defenders nominated are Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Alphonso Davies, Josko Gvardiol, Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez.
The goalkeepers in contention are Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martinez.
Friday’s match between Al Nassr and Al Fateh ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal for the team.
At Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, the Portugal captain, who transferred to Saudi Arabia on a free transfer, scored his first goal with a late penalty.
Al Nassr, the top team in the Saudi Pro League, twice overcame deficits to earn a point away from home.
In his third game for his new team, Ronaldo came out strong to deny sixth-placed Al Fateh.
Happy to have scored my first goal in the Saudi league and great effort by whole team to achieve an important draw in a very difficult match! 💪🏼 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/3Ll56WrkWn
The 37-year-old forward calmly converted his penalty kick in the 92nd minute before his teammate Talisca was dismissed in a dramatic finish after scoring Al Nassr’s first goal to offset Cristian Tello’s opener.
In a 5-4 friendly match with a Paris Saint-Germain team that featured Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe last month, Ronaldo scored twice for the Riyadh All-Stars.
An official confirmed that a Saudi real estate tycoon who bid $2.6 million at auction got a ticket to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi square off in a friendly.
A select team made up of players from Ronaldo’s new team Al Nassr and their Saudi rivals Al Hilal will meet Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday in Riyadh.
Ronaldo won’t have played any football in the kingdom since joining Al Nassr on a deal that extends through 2025 and is worth more than 200 million euros ($214 million), according to sources close to the club.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will play his first Saudi Pro League game on Sunday for Al Nassr.
Turki al-Sheikh, a Royal Court advisor and the president of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, proposed a charity auction for an unique ticket that would come with benefits including access to the players’ locker rooms and opportunity for photos with them to promote Thursday’s friendly.
The auction ended at 11:30 p.m. (20:30 GMT) on Tuesday with bids starting at 1 million Saudi riyals ($266,000).
The winning bid of 10 million riyals ($2.6 million), made by Mushref al-Ghamdi, was subsequently revealed by Al-Sheikh on Twitter.
“Congratulations, you deserve it, and may God reward you with good,” Sheikh said.
The national charity initiative Ehsan is expected to benefit from the auction’s revenues.
Along with Messi, other PSG players expected to participate on Thursday include Kylian Mbappe of France and Achraf Hakimi, who helped Morocco become the first Arab and African team to advance past the quarterfinals of the World Cup last year in Qatar.
Salem al-Dawsari, who scored the winning goal in the Green Falcons’ shocking victory over Argentina in the World Cup group stage, is a member of the Saudi national team.
After being selected captain of the Riyadh ST XI for an exhibition game against Lionel Messi’s Paris St. Germain, officials revealed on Monday that Cristiano Ronaldo would play in Saudi Arabia for the first time since joining Al Nassr.
In the most recent installment of the storied international soccer rivalry, the 37-year-old Portuguese will captain a group of players from the Saudi clubs Al Hilal and Al Nassr against Messi’s PSG.
Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored in the shocking World Cup group-stage victory over Argentina, and Saud Abdulhamid are both included in the starting lineup for Saudi Arabia.
The eagerly awaited match, for which more than two million online tickets were reportedly requested, will occur on Thursday in Riyadh.
An auction that is scheduled to expire on Tuesday has already attracted bids of more than 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) for a VIP “Beyond Imagination” ticket to the game.
After receiving a one-match ban from the English Football Association for kicking a fan’s phone out of his hand in April, Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s opening two domestic matches.
The Portuguese forward joined the Arab squad earlier this month with a contract that will last until 2025 and is worth, according to the media, more than €200 million.
When Al Nassr plays Al Ettifaq on Sunday, Ronaldo will make his professional debut in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo claims that his “work is done” in Europe and is unconcerned by the criticism he has received for joining Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s contract with Manchester United was terminated in November as a result of his criticism of the team in an interview with Piers Morgan. Last week, he finalized his transfer to Al Nassr.
Many were startled by his decision to join the Riyadh-based team, especially because Ronaldo had just tried to quit United in quest of Champions League action.
The 37-year-old claims he rejected down offers from numerous clubs to sign his two and a half-year contract with Al Nassr, but he feels he has nothing left to prove in European football.
“I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life and in football,” Ronaldo said at his unveiling on Tuesday.
“In Europe, my work is done. I won everything and played for the most important clubs in Europe.
“This is a great opportunity for me, not only in football but to change the mentality of the new generation in Saudi Arabia.
“I had many opportunities in Europe, in Brazil, in the United States and even in Portugal, but I gave my word to this club, for the opportunity to develop football in this amazing country.”
The attacker responds to those who have questioned the reasons for his transfer by saying that competing in the Saudi Pro League is a true challenge.
“Many people speak and give their opinions, but really they know nothing about football,” Ronaldo said.
“If you give the example of the World Cup, the only team who beat the champions [Argentina] was Saudi Arabia, don’t forget that.
“For me, it’s not the end of my career. I wanted to change and I don’t worry about what people say. I took my decision and I have responsibility for it.
“I’m happy to be here and I know the league is really competitive, I saw many games. I’m ready to play tomorrow [against Al Ta’ee] if the coach thinks it’s good!
“I beat all records in Europe, so I want to beat all records here. This contract is unique, because I’m a unique player. So for me, this is normal.
“I’m coming here to win, to play, to enjoy, to be part of the success of the country and the culture of the country. What I want is to enjoy, to smile and to play football.”
Prior to being introduced to the public later this afternoon at Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that his medical is complete.
The Portuguese celebrity shared a photo on his Instagram story with the comment, “Medical done!,” to share the good news.
Ronaldo is seen in the photo getting connected to a multitude of wires after using a treadmill at the Al-Nassr medical facility.
The Portuguese great, who will make a staggering £175 million annually until 2025, was formally unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on Friday evening. He will be the highest-paid player in football.
On Monday, he left for Saudi Arabia, telling his supporters in a brief Instagram video, “see you soon,” as he got ready to take flight.
Al-Nassr has posted video of Ronaldo and his family’s arrival since he arrived on Monday night.
In the video, two young admirers welcome Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez and present them with bouquets of flowers each
After passing his medical exam on Tuesday, Ronaldo will have a busy day because he will get to meet Al-Nassr fans at the team’s home stadium, Mrsool Park.
For his unveiling, the 30,000-seat stadium is anticipated to be packed.
Fans of Al-Nassr may not have to wait long to see their new acquisition in action however, as Ronaldo might make his debut on Thursday if he is considered to be in good enough condition to play.
After a contentious interview in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticized the team and declared that he had “no regard” for manager Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo’s second stint at Manchester United came to an abrupt end.
Ronaldo started the first three games of Portugal’s World Cup campaign after that, and he reacted violently when he was replaced in the final group game against South Korea.
The Portuguese Football Federation refuted claims that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to quit the team after learning he wouldn’t start the last-16 match against Switzerland; in his stead, Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo was thought to be at his final World Cup, in Qatar, and he came off the bench against Switzerland and Morocco, but he couldn’t stop the African team from eliminating Portugal.
That 1-0 upset in the quarter-finals could be Ronaldo’s last World Cup game and he said on social media: “The dream was nice while it lasted”.
In asking Real to use their training facility rather than take a break following Portugal’s early exit, Ronaldo has given a clear indication he is ready to join a new club at the earliest opportunity.
However, that will not be Real, whose all-time leading scorer is Ronaldo with 450 goals in 438 games, during time which he won the Champions League four times and La Liga twice.
Ronaldo made a then-world-record move to Real from Manchester United in 2009 and left for Juventus in 2018.
What happened? The Selecao entered that tournament as favourites to claim a sixth global crown, but their quest for more major honours came to a close at the quarter-final stage when suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia.
There have been suggestions that Neymar, who is now 30 years of age, may have graced such a stage for the last time, but iconic countryman Ronaldo believes the Paris Saint-Germain forward will add to his haul of 124 caps and pull clear of Pele as his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.
What they said:Ronaldo has told AP: “I think Neymar is very upset with the result of the World Cup for the Brazil national team. It’s normal that he’s feeling that way for now, but I’m also sure that he will come back stronger and continue playing with the national team. He’s still young… I think he can play the next World Cup.”
The bigger picture: Neymar, who has never won a senior international title with Brazil, is level with Pele on 77 goals at the top of a notable scoring chart and Ronaldo sees enough determination in the talented playmaker to suggest that he will want to go on to 2026. The two-time World Cup winner added: “I’m very happy that he showed the world a commitment for the last six months, for the Brazil national team. He behaved himself. He took care of himself. And he played a good match, the first match. He got a very strong tackle on his ankle. He made a huge sacrifice to play again for the national team. He played very good in the last match. I think he’s very important for us. So I hope that [he] gets well soon and back strong in the football world with PSG and the Brazil national team.”
Ronaldo stated before Pep Guardiola renewed his contract with Manchester City, the Brazilian national team asked him to become their new coach.
The Selecao is getting ready for life without Tite, who led them to the World Cup quarterfinals before they lost to Croatia on Friday in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
Regardless of how the five-time champions performed in Qatar, the 61-year-old stated in February that he would step down from his position.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach Guardiola decided to prolong his tenure at the Etihad Stadium until 2025, according to legendary striker Ronaldo, who claims the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had spoken with him.
“There was interest in Guardiola; it was discussed with Guardiola’s coaching staff, but he preferred to renew his contract with City,” the 2002 World Cup winner said on his YouTube channel.’
“Perhaps it would be difficult for the CBF to reach an agreement; he is the highest-paid coach in the world.”
Ronaldo believes the CBF should now turn their attention to the “Brazilian Guardiola” in Fernando Diniz – the Fluminense head coach renowned for his attractive possession-based style of play.
“Perhaps Diniz would be an attraction for the Brazilian national team,” he added. “He’s a guy who plays well, puts on a show.
“It is a very important decision for the next cycle. The sooner you present the name and start working on the philosophy of the coach, the better it will be. And we’ll see. I’m curious. I think big names are coming here.”
Although Cristiano Ronaldo has never requested to leave the Portugal World Cup team, manager Fernando Santos did acknowledge that the veteran striker was unhappy about being benched for the match against Switzerland.
The 37-year-old was not included for Portugal’s 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the round of 16 to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup with Morocco.
Santos said: “We had a conversation. I don’t do that with all the players but he’s the captain of the squad. You know what he represents for Portuguese football, for the Portuguese people and for the national team.
“It was on the day of the match after lunch. I explained to him why he would not play and said in terms of our strategy ‘I think it would be better if you did not start. I think the game will be difficult and I will save you for the second half’.
“Cristiano was obviously not very happy as he has always been a starting player. But we had a normal conversation in which I explained my points and he accepted them.
“He never told me he wanted to leave the national team.”
Santos frequently has a frustrated expression, but the persistent inquiries about the former Manchester United and Real Madrid great really baffled him.
“It’s high time we stopped with this conversation and look at what he did in the match,” he added.
“He warmed up with his colleagues, he celebrated all the goals and he was the one who invited the players to applaud the fans at the end. It’s time for you [the media] to leave Cristiano alone.
“Ninety per cent of the questions are about Cristiano.”
Ronaldo’s replacement against Switzerland, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick as part of a team that displayed more verve and attacking threat than in previous games in Qatar.
Santos refused to confirm whether Ramos would keep his place against Morocco or if Ronaldo would return.
“Just because a team wins doesn’t mean you can’t change it,” he said. “The team we play on Saturday will present different challenges, they are a very different team to Switzerland.
“They are well-organised with many players who play for the biggest clubs in the world. This will not be an easy game.”
Playmaker Joao Felix was another who shone against the Swiss, arguably playing his best game of the tournament. Asked if he felt the shackles had been released with Ronaldo absent, he said: “I don’t think it’s mandatory to pass to Cristiano. We try to pass to the player that’s available.
“Independent of Cristiano being on the field, we have the same tactics, the ones we’ve been using for all four games. He has skills that other players have and vice-versa. We, as a team, have our own identity and we focus on that.”
Brazilian legend Ronaldo has advised Neymar to put his recovery from his World Cup ankle injury ahead of the “envy and animosity” of those who have celebrated it.
Even among Selecao supporters, reactions to Neymar’s exclusion from Brazil’s match against Switzerland and likely the following match against Cameroon have been varied.
Some have turned against Neymar because of his support for Jair Bolsonaro, the 30-year-old PSG striker who lost the presidential race in Brazil to Lula last month.
Despite the fact that Neymar seems to be Brazil’s most likely motivator in Qatar 2022, when the team is vying for a sixth World Cup victory, this is the case.
With his eight goals at the 2002 finals, including two in the final against Germany, Ronaldo was the highlight of the team that won the sixth of five trophy victories.
He described Neymar as “awesome” in an open letter on Instagram, posted on Sunday.
Ronaldo added: “I am sure that most Brazilians, like me, admire and love you. Your talent, by the way, has taken you so far, so high, that there is love and admiration for you in every corner of the world.
“And it is also for this reason, for having reached where you have, for the success you have achieved, that you have to deal with so much envy and malice.
“On a level of celebrating the injury of a star like you, with a story like yours. How far have we come? What world is this? What message are we passing on to our young people? There will always be people rooting against you, but it is sad to see society on a path of trivialising intolerance, of normalising hate speech.
“It is against this verbal violence with destructive power that I write to you today: come back stronger! Smarter! Hungry for goals! The good you do on and off the field is much greater than envy towards you.
“Don’t forget for a second the journey that made you a world football idol. Brazil loves you! The real fans – the ones who are in favour – need your goals, dribbles, boldness and joy! Celebrate the love that comes from most of your country. You will bounce back! And may all the hate turn into fuel.”
Neymar hobbled off in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 win against Serbia on Thursday, with medical staff announcing he sustained a lateral ligament injury to his right ankle.
The former Barcelona forward was fouled nine times in the Serbia game, the most suffered by any player in a single game so far at the World Cup.
Head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, has revealed that the hunger of the players to play and succeed ahead of their next World Cup match in Qatar, is making it difficult for him to make decisions.
Addressing a pre-match presser ahead of the team’s Group H game against South Korea, he stressed that Ghanaians will see a more ‘passionate’ Black Stars.
He however disclosed that the enthusiasm of his troops is making it difficult for him to finalise his decisions.
“We will see a passionate team against South Korea. We will see this same passion they showed the last game. Everybody is hungry to play and training [well], making it difficult for me to make decisions”, Otto Addo said.
Meanwhile, coach, Otto Addo, has dismissed assertions that the team over-respected Portugal in their first World Cup clash at Doha’s 974 Stadium.
According to some critics, the team lost their opening Group H game because they were overwhelmed by the calibre of the Portuguese, forcing them to coil into their shells.
But reacting to these concerns, the Black Stars trainer stated in a presser on Sunday that his boys played without any intimidation.
According to him, even though the squad had some inexperienced legs, it did not affect their confidence against the star-studded Portuguese side.
Responding to a question from JoyNews‘ Gary Al-Smith, he said, “I don’t think it’s true. Our players did so well. I don’t think we over respected them”.
He continued, “For me, we showed that we could compete with them, even though we had a lot of inexperienced players.
Some even had their debuts in the last game against Switzerland, but they performed”.
In a match that saw what has been widely described as ‘unfair officiating’, the Black Stars lost by three goals to two against the Portuguese last Thursday, November 24.
After a goalless first half, the Portuguese drew first blood after Ronaldo converted a controversial penalty in the 65th minute.
The lead was soon canceled by Ghanaian skipper, André Dede Ayew in the 73rd minute, after tapping home from a pass by Ajax midfielder, Mohammed Kudus.
But the Portuguese took the lead again and deepened their dominance with goals from João Félix and Rafael Leão in the 78th and 80th minute respectively.
The Stars managed to close the gap with an 89th minute strike from substitute, Osman Bukari, heading home a cross from former Chelsea defender, Baba Rahman.
However, this was not enough to stop the team from conceding their first defeat in the tournament.
The team is therefore poised to make amends in their next match against South Korea, Otto Addo said.
Addressing the press, he said his charges are fired up for their second game in Qatar.
He said Ghanaians will see a passionate Black Stars team against South Korea on Monday.
Prior to the Al Sadd forward tying the score ten minutes later, Ronaldo had given the 2016 European Champions the lead from the penalty spot.
Cameroon, the defending African champions, lost their initial match to the Netherlands, and Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, and Morocco also failed to score in their opening matches.
Ayew has now netted three goals at the World Cup, making his third appearance on the global stage.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling encounter, Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Rafael Leao scored for the Portuguese, while Ayew and Osman Bukari netted for Ghana.
Ayew must produce another warrior performance for his country in their second group game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar to have a chance to play in the knockout stages of the mundial.
Ghana will next face South Korea, before finishing their group with a clash against Uruguay on December 2.
Ronaldo became the first male player to score in five different World Cups after opening the scoring with a decisive penalty in the second half.
Before Joao Felix and Rafael Leao scored after clever passes from Bruno Fernandes, Andre Ayew tied the score for Ghana.
Ghana scored late, and the score ended up being 3-2.
Ronaldo, who was named man of the match, spoke for only 2 minutes and 12 seconds at the press conference and left just as questions about the penalty decision were about to be asked.
“This is a moment that makes me very proud. That chapter (United) is closed. I’m here to win. The rest does not matter,” he said.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo criticized the decision, describing it as a gift to the Portuguese legend.
Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose have all netted at four World Cups but Ronaldo is now out in front in that regard after scoring at a fifth finals.
Here, Stats Perform looks at each of Ronaldo’s previous seven goals on the biggest stage of them all, three of which came in one game.
Portugal 2-0 Iran (Frankfurt, 2006)
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot for the first of his World Cup goals against Iran in 2006, making him Portugal’s youngest ever scorer in the competition at 21 years and 132 days, a record that stands to this day. Despite Portugal finishing third that year, a teenage Ronaldo did not add to his goals tally.
The Selecao put seven goals past North Korea, with Ronaldo scoring the sixth of those to end a two-year wait for an international goal. Portugal failed to find the net in any of their other three matches in South Africa and were eliminated by Spain in the last 16.
Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Brasilia, 2014)
Ronaldo scored a late winner in Portugal’s final group match against Ghana — a simple finish following some poor defending — but it was not enough to prevent his side from exiting Brazil 2014 in the first round behind the United States and tournament winners Germany.
Entering the tournament as the world’s best player, Ronaldo lived up to his billing by scoring a hat-trick in what will go down as one of the all-time great individual World Cup performances.
After opening the scoring from the penalty spot, the superstar forward beat David de Gea with a shot from outside the box and then scored a late free-kick to rescue a point in a topsy-turvy thriller.
Portugal 1-0 Morocco (Moscow, 2018)
Ronaldo was not finished there, either, as he made it four goals for the tournament with an unstoppable header inside four minutes against Morocco, with that proving to be the winner.
However, his goalscoring touch eluded him in the knockout rounds as he fired a blank in the 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16.
Portugal edged Ghana for a 3-2 win at Stadium 974 on Thursday evening in the Black Stars’ 2022 World Cup opener as VAR was missing in action.
Cristiano Ronaldo converted a controversial penalty to give the Portuguese the lead just after the hour mark before Andre Ayew levelled for Ghana.
There was late drama as the European nation scored two-in-two minutes for a 3-1 lead. Substitute Osman Bukari headed in brilliantly late on to end the game 3-2.
The Black Stars became the first African team to score a goal at this year’s tournament.
Portugal leads Group H with three points after the win, with Ghana bottom. Uruguay and South Korea have a point each after drawing goalless earlier.
The Black Stars will next play South Korea on November 28 while Portugal faces Uruguay on the same day.
Cristiano Ronaldo got the first sight at goal but Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was very proactive to run out of his line and put the ball to safety in 10 minutes.
The A Selecao restricted the Black Stars to their own half in the first 20 minutes, playing 76% of the ball while Ghana has only 24% of possession.
At the half hour mark, Ronaldo drilled the ball into Ghana’s net but he fouled Alexander Djiku in the process.
The Black Stars’ plan to catch Portugal on the counter wasn’t working as the midfield could not spot Inaki Williams, with the Euro 2016 champions getting 5 attempts, one on target against Ghana’s zero.
A half completed dominated by the two-time semifinalists ended in a goalless draw.
Ghana finally came out of their own half to play as Mohammed Kudus made a marvellous solo run to hit a great shot that missed the target narrowly 10 minutes into the second half.
Portugal was awarded a soft penalty that was not checked by the VAR after a least touch from Mohammed Salisu. The protestations of the Ghanaian players were ignored by the USA referee Elfath.
Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot as he converted brilliantly to break the deadlock in the 64th minute to make World Cup history. He became the first player to score in five consecutive tournaments.
Ghana pulled the equalizer through Andre Ayew, who latched onto a Kudus cutback in the 73rd minute.
Portugal caught Ghana’s backline sleeping on the break as Joao Felix picked a Baba Rahman missed ball to convert from the right side of the box in the 78th minute.
The same situation repeated itself two minutes later. This time on the right side, with substitute Raphael Leao converting from the left post.
With a minute to the end of the 90, Osman Bukari cut Portugal’s lead to one after heading in a Baba Rahman cross from the left.
Portugal held on to for the victory to ward off Ghana’s late pressure for an equalizer.
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