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Ronaldo confirmed for record sixth FIFA World Cup with Portugal

Ronaldo confirmed

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history after being named in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is expected to become the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments.

The 41-year-old forward was included in the squad announced by Portugal coach Roberto Martínez, confirming his participation in the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning on June 11.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr FC, already holds the world records for most international appearances (226) and most international goals (143).

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of six players to have appeared in five World Cups and is now poised to set a new record with a sixth appearance for Portugal national football team.

Ronaldo sets historic football record with 100 goals in three major leagues

Ronaldo sets

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo has added another milestone to his legendary career by becoming the first footballer in history to score 100 or more goals in three different major national leagues.

The Portuguese superstar achieved the historic feat during Al Nassr FC’s 4-2 victory over Al Shabab FC in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo reached the landmark in the 75th minute when he converted a pass from Sadio Mane to score his 100th league goal for Al Nassr in just 105 appearances.

Before this achievement, Ronaldo had already scored 103 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United F.C. and an incredible 311 goals in La Liga for Real Madrid CF.

The veteran forward has also netted 81 goals in Serie A and remains the first player to win Golden Boot awards in four different leagues.

Al Nassr FC currently lead the Saudi Pro League standings, with hopes high that Ronaldo will guide the club to both the league title and the AFC Champions League Two trophy this season.

Ronaldo hits 970 career goals as Al Nassr strengthen Saudi Pro League lead

Ronaldo hits 970

Cristiano Ronaldo has added another major milestone to his legendary career, scoring his 970th professional goal as Al Nassr secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday.

The match remained goalless until the second half, before Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a decisive strike. Kingsley Coman later sealed the win with a late goal in the 90th minute.

The result keeps Al Nassr firmly at the top of the Saudi Pro League table with 79 points from 26 wins, one draw, and three defeats, extending their eight-point lead over Al Hilal.

Ronaldo was named Player of the Match and celebrated the victory on social media, posting: “YALLA!! WE ARE AL NASSR.”

The club’s remarkable form continues, with a 20-match winning streak across all competitions that began in January.

Al Nassr are now preparing to face Al Qadsiah on May 3 in the 31st league round, followed by a high-profile fixture against Gamba Osaka in Riyadh on May 16. With momentum on their side, the team remains strong favourites to maintain their title charge.

Ronaldo nets brace on return as Al Nassr extend winning streak

Ronaldo nets brace

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return from a month-long injury layoff in style, scoring twice in the second half as Al Nassr secured a 5-2 victory over bottom-placed Al Najma in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

The Portuguese forward, sidelined since February, had missed Al Nassr’s previous two league matches and was also unavailable for Portugal national team friendlies against Mexico and the United States last month.

Al Najma stunned the hosts by taking the lead just before halftime, with Rakan Al Tulayhi finding the net. However, Al Nassr responded quickly as Abdullah Al Hamdan and Sadio Mane struck in first-half stoppage time to turn the game around.

The visitors equalized shortly after the break when Felippe Cardoso scored, but Al Nassr regained control when Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 56th minute.

Ronaldo, 41, added his second goal in the 73rd minute, while Mane sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike.

The win marked Al Nassr’s 13th consecutive league triumph, keeping them at the top of the table with 70 points, six ahead of second-placed Al Hilal, who are set to face Al Taawoun on Saturday.

Lionel Messi reaches 900 career goals in historic milestone

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has become only the second player in elite men’s football history to score 900 career goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club of football legends to reach the landmark.

The 38-year-old Argentine World Cup winner achieved the feat with a left-footed finish during Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The goal came 21 years after Messi netted his first senior goal for Barcelona as a 17-year-old in 2005.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano praised the achievement, calling Messi’s goal tally “insane” and highlighting the privilege of witnessing so many of his goals up close.

Messi reached the milestone in 1,142 appearances for club and country, nearly 100 fewer games than Cristiano Ronaldo, who reached 900 goals in 1,236 matches in September 2024. Ronaldo has since pushed his total to 965 goals and continues to aim for the 1,000-goal mark.

The majority of Messi’s goals came during his legendary spell at Barcelona, where he scored 672 times. He also netted 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain and 81 for Inter Miami, along with 115 goals for Argentina, helping his country win the 2022 World Cup.

Known for delivering in big moments, 175 of Messi’s goals have come in knockout matches, including 35 in finals. In European competition, he has scored 129 UEFA Champions League goals, second only to Ronaldo’s 140.

Despite Messi’s historic achievement, it was a disappointing night for Inter Miami, who were eliminated from the competition on away goals after a 0-0 first-leg result.

Faisal Qureshi urges Pakistani cricketers to speak Urdu with pride

Faisal Qureshi

Renowned Pakistani actor Faisal Qureshi has urged national cricketers to take pride in their mother tongue and speak Urdu during public appearances and media interactions.

Qureshi, who is currently hosting a show on a private television channel where he invites guests to discuss various topics, recently highlighted the importance of promoting the national language.

A video clip from the show has gone viral on social media in which the actor stresses the value of Urdu and encourages Pakistani cricketers to confidently use it.

Addressing the players, Qureshi said he particularly wants Pakistani cricketers to speak Urdu and take pride in their language and identity.

He pointed out that internationally renowned footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi usually communicate in their native languages rather than switching to English unnecessarily.

“I have never seen Ronaldo, Messi or other major players speaking English without reason. They speak their own language, and the other person can arrange a translator if needed,” he said.

The actor further emphasized that people should feel proud of Urdu as Pakistan’s national language, adding that not speaking English should not be considered a problem since English is not the country’s mother tongue.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine on and off the pitch at 41

Cristiano Ronaldo

World-renowned football star Cristiano Ronaldo has celebrated his 41st birthday, yet continues to maintain an elite status in world football thanks to his exceptional fitness, consistent performances, and strong market value.

Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo remains one of the most valuable and high-profile footballers globally, defying conventional expectations about longevity in professional sports.

Currently, Ronaldo is associated with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, where he is playing under a lucrative contract. Reports suggest that he earns millions of pounds on a daily basis, placing him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Beyond football, Ronaldo’s personal life has frequently attracted media attention. He was in a high-profile relationship with Russian supermodel Irina Shayk from 2010 to 2015. The two reportedly met during a campaign for a leading fashion brand and were considered one of the most influential celebrity couples of their time before parting ways in 2015.

At present, Georgina Rodríguez is Ronaldo’s long-term partner, and the couple is known to share a stable and prosperous family life.

Even at 41, Ronaldo’s global popularity, peak physical condition, and relentless passion for football continue to serve as an inspiration for younger players around the world, reinforcing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Middle East’s best player award again

Cristiano Ronaldo

Dubai: Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Middle East’s Best Player award for the third consecutive year, reaffirming his dominance in the region’s football scene.

Ronaldo clinched the honor at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards, held in Dubai on December 27. The 40-year-old forward used the occasion to reiterate his strong determination to reach the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ronaldo said he wants to continue playing at the highest level, win more trophies, and achieve the 1,000-goal mark. “You know my goal. I want to keep playing, win more trophies, and reach 1,000 goals. I will get there, God willing, if I stay injury-free,” he said.

Following his recent two-goal performance for Al-Nassr against Al-Akhdoud, Ronaldo’s career tally has now reached 956 goals, leaving him just 44 goals away from the unprecedented 1,000-goal landmark—an achievement no footballer has officially accomplished to date.

Ronaldo’s latest accolade further cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history and highlights his continued impact even in the later stages of his illustrious career.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins fans’ hearts with kind acts and skill

Cristiano Ronaldo

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo, the famed Portuguese footballer, is admired worldwide not just for his incredible talent on the field but also for his generosity and warm-hearted personality.

Reports indicate that a video of the Saudi club Al-Nassr player has been circulating on social media, which was even reposted by Al-Nassr’s official X account.

In the video, Ronaldo can be seen gently placing his scarf around a young girl standing in front of him during the team lineup, displaying a tender and caring gesture. The girl’s expression of surprise and joy is clearly visible.

Previously, Ronaldo also amazed fans with an extraordinary overhead bicycle kick goal that went viral on social media. The 40-year-old scored this remarkable goal in the 96th minute, a time when most players are exhausted, showcasing his exceptional fitness and dedication.

This goal marked the 954th of his illustrious career and is being hailed as one of the best goals of the current season.

FIFA reduces Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban following meeting with Trump

FIFA reduces

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has issued a special ruling for Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, reducing his suspension to one match after receiving a red card, just days after the striker met with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ronaldo, 40, was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct during Portugal’s recent match against Ireland, which would have sidelined him for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener.

However, FIFA cited that this was the first red card of Ronaldo’s international career spanning more than two decades, leading to the shortened suspension.

The striker had already served his ban in the subsequent match against Armenia, making him eligible for Portugal’s opening World Cup fixture.

Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez previously defended Ronaldo, arguing that his on-field outburst did not constitute violent conduct.

FIFA clarified that if Ronaldo commits a similar offense during the probationary period, the remaining two-match suspension will be enforced immediately.

The special ruling comes shortly after Ronaldo’s high-profile meetings with President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the latter’s visit to the United States.