Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's confidence is further boosted by their status as reigning UEFA Nations League champions, underlining their recent success on the international stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally won a major trophy with Al-Nassr. The 41-year-old Portugal star scored twice in a 4-1 win over Damac to help Al-Nassr clinch the Saudi Pro League title Thursday. It's the team's first major trophy since Ronaldo joined more than three years ago. Ronaldo lifted the trophy just two days after being named in Portugal's roster for the World Cup, which would mark a record sixth appearance at the tournament. The victory secured top spot for Al-Nassr, two points ahead of city rival Al-Hilal, which finished second despite completing the 34-game season undefeated. Ronaldo struck his 27th and 28th league goals of the season in the second half after Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman scored on either side of halftime to put Al-Nassr in control. Al-Nassr was leading 2-1 when Ronaldo restored his team's two-goal cushion just past the hour mark, curling a free kick from the left side through traffic and into the net. He added his second eight minutes from time, finishin

A massive paycheck from current team Inter Miami, purported TV revenue-sharing deals, real estate holdings and even a stake in an Argentine restaurant chain have all helped land him in 10-figure club

Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for a first major trophy in Saudi Arabia continued when Al-Nassr lost to Japan's Gamba Osaka 1-0 in the Asian Champions League Two final on Saturday. A first-half goal from Turkish forward Deniz Hammat helped Osaka secure Asia's second-tier tournament despite Al-Nassr dominating possession and having more attempts on goal. The defeat came five days after Al-Nassr was seconds away from winning the Saudi Pro League for the first time since 2019, only to concede in stoppage time and leave the title race to be decided on the final matchday on Thursday. It was a frustrating night for the home side. Al-Nassr created multiple openings in the first half but Osaka took the lead in the 30th minute. Hammat turned and fired a low shot into the bottom corner from just inside the area. After a lengthy VAR check for offside, the goal stood. "I am happy to score and help the team and to do my best for this club," said Hammat, who went off injured at halftime. "I was nervou

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed continental club championship playoffs scheduled in the Middle East this week in response to the US and Israel attacks on Iran. Soccer's Asian governing body issued a statement Sunday saying the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the West Region will be rescheuled. The AFC Champions League 2 and AFC Challenge League quarterfinals scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in the West zone will also be postponed. No new dates have been set. Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al-Nassr is among the teams involved in the Asian Champions League Two competition. Matches in the East Region across all of the AFC's continental championships will continue as scheduled, organizers said. "The AFC will continue to closely monitor this rapidly evolving situation and remains resolute in ensuring the safety and security of all players, teams, officials, and fans," the AFC said in a statement. The AFC is hosting the

While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, Al-Khereji acquired the club for €100 million to secure majority ownership.

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al Nassr advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Two with a 1-0 win over Arkadag FC of Turkmenistan that secured a 2-0 aggregate victory. The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who returned last Saturday after missing three straight games amid reports of discontent with the club's management, watched from the stands on Wednesday. According to domestic media, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has yet to win a major trophy since signing with the Riyadh club in December 2022, is being rested for Saudi Pro League games and the latter stages of the AFC Champions League. Al Nassr will face Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates in the first leg of the quarterfinals of Asia's second-tier competition on March 3. In the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite, Japan and South Korea sent three and two teams respectively to the round of 16 in the eastern zone. The top eight from each of the two 12-team groups go to the next stage. Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysi

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia, and Al-Nassr will be hoping the 41-year-old Portuguese star returns to action on Wednesday to help the Riyadh club move closer to silverware. Al-Nassr takes on Arkadag of Turkmenistan with a place in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League Two on the line. Ronaldo hasn't played any part in Al-Nassr's most recent two games in the Saudi Pro League amid reports he was unhappy with the way the club is being funded, particularly after watching rival Al-Hilal sign Karim Benzema in last month's transfer window. Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are all majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. In a statement, the SPL outlined that no player is bigger than the club or the league. "The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules," the league said. "Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival

Ronaldo's agitation grew as it seemed that his club Al Nassr was unwilling to push forward with the financial muscle that could have made them competitive against other top teams in the region.

The last time Cristiano Ronaldo faced Lionel Messi in an international football match was back in November. 2014 when both Argentina and Portugal played an international friendly at Old Trafford.

FIFA clarified that any comparable misconduct within the next year would automatically activate the remaining two matches of the ban.

The dismissal guarantees Ronaldo will miss Portugal's final qualifier against Armenia and could face a three-match suspension for violent conduct.

Portugal will be without key attackers Pedro Neto and Pedro Gonçalves, who have returned to their clubs, Chelsea and Sporting CP, due to injury.

When the two sides met earlier in Goa, Brison Fernandes' heroics were not enough as Al-Nassr edged out the Gaurs 2-1 at the Fatorda Stadium.

With trademark composure, Ronaldo timed his run perfectly, guiding the ball past Varela from close range to seal the 2-0 win, and write another line in football history.

The England captain found the net in Bayern Munich's 4-0 Champions League victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday night, tapping home from close range in the 14th minute.

At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age with his performances for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, recently signing a contract extension that will keep him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.

Portugal appeared to be in control for most of the match, but was left frustrated by Hungary's persistence

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Norway beat Israel 5-0, while Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in Portugal's 1-0 win over Ireland in World Cup qualifying.

There were no major shocks in Roberto Martinez's squad selection, with João Cancelo the only notable absentee due to injury from the group named in September.