Ronaldo confirms Club World Cup snub in favour of recovery

The Portuguese star has committed his future to Al Nassr until 2027, as confirmed in an interview with the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo, who will be 42 when his new deal expires, spoke candidly about his ambitions, his current mindset, and his perspective on football in Saudi Arabia.

"My goal is to win something important with Al Nassr, and I still believe in that. That's why I renewed for another two years — because I believe I will become a champion in Saudi Arabia," he said. "I had some offers to play in the Club World Cup, but I didn't see the point. I preferred to have a proper rest and prepare well, because this season will be very long with the World Cup."

When asked about his future beyond football, Ronaldo remained non-committal: "You never know what the future holds. I never imagined, two years ago, that I would be playing in Saudi Arabia — but life is full of surprises. So I don't know what's going to happen. I live in the present, not in the future. And right now, the present is good — it's brilliant. I'm a very positive person."

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward also defended the growing quality of Saudi football: "We're still improving, but I believe the Saudi Pro League is already among the top five in the world. I'm happy because I know it's a very competitive league. Only people who've never played in Saudi Arabia say otherwise — they don't understand football."

He added: "It's incredible — that's why I'm staying for two more years. Not just as a footballer, but as someone living in the country. My contribution isn't only on the pitch; I want to be part of the country's growth in every way."

As for any potential move into coaching, Ronaldo was blunt: "I can say now that I'll never be a manager — although 'never' is a strong word. The reality is that it's not in my plans, not in five, ten, or even twenty years. But, as you know, life is a box of surprises."