Ronaldo says 2026 World Cup key to Al-Nassr renewal

Cristiano Ronaldo says the opportunity to rest ahead of the 2026 World Cup was key to his decision to pen a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr.

Earlier this week, Ronaldo committed his future to the Riyadh side until the age of 42, having previously been linked with a move to a team involved in the Club World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was keen to involve Ronaldo in the new-look tournament, with Botafogo and Wydad AC both touted as possible landing spots, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner opted to stay put.

Speaking to Al-Nassr TV, Ronaldo outlined his belief that playing at the Club World Cup would have hampered his ability to perform for Portugal next year.

"I had some offers to play at the [Club] World Cup, but I think it didn't make sense," Ronaldo said.

"I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the season with the World Cup at the end."

Ronaldo is one of just six players to have appeared at five different editions of the World Cup, alongside Lionel Messi, Lothar Matthaus, and Mexico trio Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado and Rafael Marquez.

His 22 games played at FIFA's flagship international tournament, meanwhile, are the fifth-most of any player, with 2022 victor Messi holding the record with 26.

Ronaldo won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot for the second successive season in 2024-25 with 25 goals, having netted 35 times to top the goalscoring charts the previous campaign.

Since making his debut for Al-Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has scored more Pro League goals than any other player, with 74 in 77 matches. 

Ronaldo's goals have come from a total expected goals (xG) tally of 67.1, averaging a goal every 90.6 minutes – the best ratio of any player in double figures in that span.

However, he has yet to deliver a major trophy to Al-Nassr, who finished second in the Saudi top flight in 2023-24 then dropped to third in 2024-25.

"My goal is always to win something important for Al-Nassr. I still believe in that," he said. "This is why I renewed for two more years, because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia."

Ronaldo has previously suggested the Saudi Pro League is a stronger division than France's Ligue 1, and he has reiterated his claim that it is one of football's top five leagues.

"Of course, we are still improving but I believe that at this moment that we are in the top five already," he said.

"I still believe that we will continue to improve, and we have time and we have shown in the last two years that the league is going up all the time.

"I am happy because I know that the league is very competitive. Only people who have never played in Saudi, who understand nothing about football, say this league is not in the top five. 

"I believe 100% in my words, and the people that play in this league, they know what I am talking about."