Ronaldo Focused on Playing Sixth World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that resting and preparing well is more important to him right now than switching clubs to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 40-year-old Portuguese star has signed a new two-year contract with his current club, Al-Nassr. After the signing, he shared his thoughts through social media.

“I had a few offers to play in the Club World Cup,” Ronaldo said in a video on Al-Nassr’s Instagram. “But I didn’t feel they were right for me. I need good rest and good preparation because this season will be very long. There’s also the World Cup at the end of the season, so I want to be fully ready—not just for Al-Nassr, but also for my national team.”

There were rumors that Ronaldo might join another club to play in the Club World Cup, especially after he led Portugal to a Nations League title three weeks ago by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout. However, Ronaldo has now made it clear those rumors were false.

There’s a chance that both Ronaldo and Argentine legend Lionel Messi could appear in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. If it happens, it would be their sixth World Cup appearance.

Ronaldo made history in 2022 by becoming the first male player to score in five World Cups. With this new contract, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now set to play professional football until at least the age of 42.