Cristiano Ronaldo explanation on Club World Cup rejection speaks volumes

Cristiano Ronaldo claims he turned down offers from Club World Cup participants to ensure he's in solid shape for a long domestic and international season. The veteran has instead extended his Al-Nassr contract, and will remain in the Saudi Pro League before aiming to lead Portugal to glory at the 2026 World Cup.

Former Manchester United star Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in the world when he ended his second Old Trafford spell and moved to Riyadh. He has finished as the top scorer in the Saudi top flight in each of his two full seasons, but has yet to win a league or AFC Champions League title.

River Plate were among the interested parties who failed with a Ronaldo approach. "In mid-March, informally, through a mutual friend, I told him, 'Hey, I have a Club World Cup coming up, for a player like you, who defined an era… don't you have any intention of playing in it?'" manager Marcelo Gallardo told ESPN.

"Not only did he feel recognised, but he evaluated it, thought about it, but then responded, 'I have to prepare for next season'." Gallardo added. And Ronaldo's comments upon extending his Al-Nassr stay are consistent with that.

Fluminense also explored a move, only to be knocked back, and Ronaldo has shed more light on the situation. "I had some offers to play (Club) World Cup, but I think it didn’t make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the season of the World Cup at the end," the 40-year-old told Al-Nassr TV.

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While he isn't involved in this year's 32-team Club World Cup, he previously represented both United and Real Madrid in the competition before its expansion. He is a four-time winner - once with United in 2008 and three times with Madrid in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

He made key contributions in those 2016 and 2017 finals as Madrid went back-to back. A hat-trick in 2016 helped the Spanish club overcome Kashima Antlers after extra-time, while the following year he scored the only goal of the game in a victory over Gremio.

Ronaldo scored his 138th international goal in June, helping Portugal secure a 1-1 draw with Spain in the UEFA Nations League final before winning on penalties. He also netted in the semi-final victory over Germany and the second leg of the quarter-final triumph against Denmark in March.

Portugal have yet to begin their World Cup qualifying campaign due to those Nations League responsibilities, but will kick things off away to Armenia in September. Hungary and Ireland are the other teams in their group, with the winners qualifying automatically and the runners-up going into the play-offs.

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