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Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo could represent Portugal alongside son at 2030 World Cup

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Ronaldo could

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially represent Portugal alongside his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, although the prospect remains uncertain, former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba has suggested.

Portugal will co-host the 2030 World Cup, and Ronaldo has indicated that he wants to continue playing international football beyond the 2026 tournament. He would be 45 years old in 2030.

Djemba-Djemba has previously said Ronaldo could continue playing until he is 44 or 45. He suggested that if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains active at that age, he should be considered for Portugal’s squad for the 2030 World Cup.

Ronaldo’s 15-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., is also beginning to make a name for himself in football. He recently scored both goals for Al Nassr Under-17 in a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli.

Djemba-Djemba said a World Cup appearance by Ronaldo and his son for Portugal at the same time would provide a memorable ending to the veteran forward’s international career and a significant moment for Portuguese football.

However, Ronaldo Jr. still has a long way to go before potentially reaching Portugal’s senior national team, making such a scenario difficult to predict at this stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo urges Saudi league to ban abusive fans for life

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Cristiano Ronaldo

RIYADH: Star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for fans who directed offensive chants at Ruben Neves invoking the name of late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match.

The incident occurred Saturday when Neves, playing against Al Hilal, was targeted by Al Taawoun supporters chanting “Jota! Jota! Jota!”

Neves, 29, was a close friend of Jota and was among those who carried his coffin at the former Liverpool and Portugal forward’s funeral. He reacted angrily to the chants, gesturing toward the fans and indicating that God was watching them before sarcastically applauding.

Neves later told reporters while walking through the mixed zone that he hoped those involved would not go to pray afterward.

The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans calling for action against those responsible.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, joined the calls for punishment by commenting on an Instagram post urging action against the supporters.

The Portugal captain said leagues should take action against fans who behave in such a manner and impose appropriate punishment.

“This is no longer football. There have to be limits,” Ronaldo said in his comment.

He added that people who behave in such a way should never be allowed to enter a stadium again.

Ronaldo reportedly earns €3.3 million per Instagram post

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Ronaldo

LISBON: Portugal soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly among the highest-paid personalities on Instagram, with reports suggesting he earns about 3.3 million euros for a single sponsored post.

Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of his generation, has built a massive global following on Instagram, allowing his posts to reach millions of people directly around the world.

His reported earnings highlight the enormous commercial value of his personal brand, which extends well beyond soccer and into social media, endorsements and business ventures.

Ronaldo uses Instagram to promote business interests, brand partnerships, sports-related content and his lifestyle. His enormous following has made him highly attractive to global companies seeking access to a worldwide audience.

His CR7 brand has also expanded into clothing, footwear, fragrances and other business ventures, further strengthening his commercial profile.

Alongside earnings from soccer, sponsorships and his personal businesses, social media has become an important part of Ronaldo’s financial empire.

The reported €3.3 million fee per sponsored post underscores how globally famous athletes have increasingly become powerful media platforms in their own right.

FIFA President backs Ronaldo as Portugal star closes in on 1,000 career goals

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FIFA President

PARIS: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly backed Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portugal and Al-Nassr star moves closer to an unprecedented milestone of 1,000 career goals.

The brief exchange took place during the Esports World Cup in Paris, where Ronaldo greeted Infantino. The FIFA president referred to the striker’s goal tally and said, “23 to go? I wish you luck!”

Ronaldo currently leads the active men’s scoring charts with 977 career goals, while Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is second with 923, according to the figures cited in the report.

At 41, Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific scorers in men’s football. He has scored 130 goals for Al-Nassr and needs 23 more goals to reach the 1,000 mark.

Ronaldo closes in on historic milestone

Ronaldo added to his tally after coming off the bench to score in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 Saudi Pro League victory. He found the net seven minutes after entering the game.

His career tally includes goals scored for both club and country, with his pursuit of 1,000 goals continuing to attract worldwide attention.

Messi, 39, remains the closest active player to Ronaldo in the scoring race, with 923 career goals for club and country.

Ronaldo’s next challenge

Al-Nassr’s domestic and regional commitments could provide Ronaldo with numerous opportunities to reach the milestone in the coming months if he maintains his scoring rate.

The veteran forward is also being managed carefully by Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou, with the club aiming to keep him in top form throughout the season.

Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 goals has become one of the most closely watched individual milestones in world football, with every goal bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner closer to history.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints this could be his final season

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Cristiano Ronaldo

LISBON: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that the current season could be his final campaign as a professional footballer, potentially bringing one of the sport’s most celebrated careers to an end.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo made the comments in an interview following his wedding to longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday. He said he was now considering a future centered more around his family.

“This could be my final year in football, and I want to leave a great legacy,” Ronaldo said, according to media reports.

Ronaldo said he had already planned his life after football and would have plenty of activities to keep him occupied. He said he wanted to spend more time enjoying himself, traveling, playing and watching padel, and appreciating the achievements of his career.

He described his football journey as one that had involved 25 years of sacrifice.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and five-time Champions League champion has won league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. He is also the leading scorer in men’s international football.

Ronaldo has spent nearly four years with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, where he has one year remaining on his contract.

When asked in July whether the upcoming FIFA World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament, Ronaldo said he would consult his family before making a decision and would do so with a “peaceful mind.”

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly set to marry Georgina Rodriguez on Aug 8

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Cristiano Ronaldo

LISBON: Star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to marry his longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez, in Portugal later this week, according to foreign media reports.

Reports said the couple is expected to tie the knot on Aug. 8 on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Ronaldo’s birthplace, where he spent his childhood. However, neither Ronaldo nor Rodríguez has officially confirmed the wedding plans.

According to a British magazine, the wedding ceremony is expected to take place at Funchal Cathedral before guests attend a reception at a luxury five-star hotel.

The report also said two floors of the hotel and several bars will be closed on Friday and Saturday, fueling speculation that the venue is being prepared for the couple’s wedding celebrations.

Portuguese media had previously reported that Ronaldo planned to marry after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo and Rodríguez first met in 2016 and announced their engagement in August 2025. The couple have five children together. Ronaldo has previously said that his eldest daughter played an important role in encouraging him to propose to Rodríguez.

Cristiano Ronaldo earned about $570 minute last year

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Cristiano Ronaldo

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo may have fallen short of winning a FIFA World Cup with Portugal, but the football superstar continues to rank among the world’s highest-paid athletes, earning an estimated $570 per minute over the past year, according to Forbes.

The business magazine estimates Ronaldo’s net worth has reached $1.2 billion, placing him among the wealthiest athletes in history. Forbes said the Portugal captain earned about $300 million over the past year, equivalent to roughly $570 every minute.

A significant portion of Ronaldo’s income comes from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, which he joined in 2023 and renewed in 2025. According to the report, the deal is worth more than $200 million annually.

Beyond his football salary, Ronaldo generates substantial revenue through endorsement deals, business investments and his extensive social media presence, making him one of the world’s most commercially successful athletes.

Although Portugal did not win the most recent FIFA World Cup  a tournament widely viewed as potentially Ronaldo’s last  the 41-year-old has not announced his retirement from international football.

Danish Taimoor clarifies viral Ronaldo remark after social media backlash

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Danish Taimoor

KARACHI: Pakistani actor Danish Taimoor has clarified his recent remarks about football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after they sparked debate on social media, saying his comments were misunderstood and were intended only as a tribute to one of his favorite athletes.

Taimoor recently paid tribute to Ronaldo ahead of what could be the footballer’s final FIFA World Cup, saying he had “grown up watching” the Portuguese star.

The remark drew criticism from some social media users, who pointed out that Taimoor is about two years older than Ronaldo.

Responding to the criticism, the actor shared a statement on Instagram, explaining that his words had been taken out of context.

“I am, Alhamdulillah, 43 years old,” Taimoor wrote. He said he meant that he had followed Ronaldo’s career from his own twenties into his forties and had remained an admirer throughout the footballer’s journey.

Following the clarification, many social media users came to Taimoor’s defense, arguing that his original comment was a figure of speech that had been unnecessarily turned into a controversy.

Several fans said they had understood his intended meaning from the outset, while others criticized what they described as an attempt to create unnecessary online drama over an emotional tribute.

Taimoor has long been known as a football enthusiast and has frequently expressed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo on various occasions.

Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament

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Cristiano Ronaldo

HOUSTON:  Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed Sunday that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the final major international tournament of his career.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 match against Spain, the 41-year-old said he intends to enjoy every moment of the tournament and hopes his team’s World Cup journey is not over yet.

“When the time comes to retire from international football, I will leave satisfied because I know I have given everything I could for my country and for the game,” Ronaldo said.

He added that he continues to play out of passion and no longer feels the need to prove himself.

Ronaldo has scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup, including two against Uzbekistan in the group stage to become the first player to score in six different World Cup editions. He also scored his first career World Cup knockout-stage goal with a penalty against Croatia.

The Portugal star described the 2026 tournament as the most emotional World Cup of his career.

Ronaldo also said criticism has helped shape him throughout his career, adding that every challenge has made him a better player and person.

Ronaldo scores as Portugal advances, ‘Bismillah’ gesture draws attention

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Ronaldo scores

TORONTO: Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot as Portugal national football team defeated Croatia national football team 2-1 to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Playing in Toronto, Portugal secured the victory with goals from Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos, while Croatia’s lone goal came from Ivan Perišić.

A video circulating on social media appeared to show Ronaldo saying “Bismillah” twice before taking his successful penalty kick. The gesture drew widespread attention online, although Ronaldo has not publicly commented on the clip.

Elsewhere, Switzerland national football team defeated Algeria national football team 2-0 to reach the Round of 16.

In another knockout match, Spain national football team beat Austria national football team 3-0, recording its first World Cup knockout-stage victory since winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.