Renan Lodi has unilaterally terminated his contract with Saudi heavyweights Al-Hilal after he was excluded from the list of players registered for the Saudi Pro League. A legal battle between the two parties is set to ensue, as the former Atletico Madrid left-back has vowed to "assert his rights like any worker" after being deprived of the chance to play regularly.
Years before Cristiano Ronaldo became a global icon and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he made a striking declaration to then Manchester United team-mate Edwin van der Sar. The Dutch goalkeeper, reflecting on former Real Madrid and Juventus forward's early days at Old Trafford, remembers a hungry individual confidently stating he would become the best player in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo will play on with Portugal for “as long as he wants”, says Ricardo Carvalho, with the 40-year-old frontman expected to lead his country at the 2026 World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has earned 223 caps, remains available for international duty after signing a two-year contract extension with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.
Wes Brown says Cristiano Ronaldo is “still better than a lot of strikers out there”, with the Portuguese “Superman” expected to keep going until he “breaks down”. There is no sign of the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star calling it quits any time soon, with the evergreen frontman still going strong with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at 40 years of age.
Aymeric Laporte has lifted the lid on his difficult exit from Al-Nassr, revealing the Saudi club's financial demands almost scuppered his dream return to Athletic Club. The Spain international admitted he felt "in the middle of nowhere" during protracted negotiations but insisted that coming back to Bilbao was always his primary objective.
Al-Nassr managed to keep their 100% Saudi Pro League record this season after beating Al-Kholood 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park with Sadio Mane and Inigo Martinez getting on the scoresheet. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to impress yet again for Faris Najd as he missed an open goal. Regardless, Al-Nassr managed to make it two wins from two.
Former Burnley skipper Josh Brownhill has turned his back on English football after sealing a surprise move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab. The 29-year-old midfielder, who had become a fan favourite at Turf Moor, opted for a new chapter in the Middle East despite strong interest from Premier League rivals Brentford, Wolves and West Ham, as well as Championship heavyweights Leicester City.
Ruben Neves has hit back at a Portuguese magazine over speculation around his relationship with Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso following the Liverpool forward's tragic death.
Ivan Toney is not ready to give up on his World Cup dream despite being left out of the latest England squad without any warning from Thomas Tuchel. Since swapping Brentford for Al-Ahli last summer, the striker has impressed in Saudi Arabia. Last season, he rattled in 23 league goals in 30 games, finishing just two shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally, while forming a deadly strike force alongside Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.
Ivan Toney has shockingly claimed that the Saudi Pro League is "on par" with the Premier League and insisted that Al-Ahli would compete for a top four finish if they competed in the English top flight. Toney left the Premier League last summer when joining Al-Ahli from Brentford. The English forward has already won two titles in his first year in the Middle East.
Harry Maguire could make a sensational switch away from Man United with two Saudi clubs chasing the England defender's signature before the window closes.
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