Lionel Messi has been told the one reason why eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT, with Danny Simpson explaining that to GOAL during an exclusive interview. Premier League title winner Simpson worked with CR7 at Manchester United and considers him to boast unique qualities that separate him from any other player in history - including Argentine icon Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to extend his remarkable career beyond the age of 42, with former Manchester United team-mate Danny Simpson making that prediction during an exclusive interview with GOAL. Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo has already passed his 40th birthday and signed a new two-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, but there are considered to be at least a couple more targets for him to chase down.
Al-Nassr edged out FC Goa 2-1 in their third AFC Champions League Two clash in India on Wednesday. Former Chelsea man Angelo Gabriel and Haroune Camara were on target as the Saudi giants picked up a comfortable victory without their star forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal legend, along with Marcelo Brozovic, did not make the away trip to remain fresh for their upcoming Pro League clashes.
Lionel Messi has been told he's better equipped for the boxing ring than eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Former WBC men's heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder's ex-trainer Malik Scott has shared his thoughts on the two footballing superstars and how they may fare in the ring if they fancied a change in profession after hanging up their prolific boots.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned as the most marketable footballer in the world, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham, in SportsPro's 16th annual ranking. The study, which includes sportspeople from multiple disciplines, named Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton as the most marketable athlete, with Ronaldo finishing fifth overall, ahead of sixth-placed Neymar.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he "deserves" a proper goodbye at Manchester United following his acrimonious exit from the club in 2022. Former coach Benni McCarthy feels that the Portugal icon's departure wasn't befitting of a player who brought so many good memories to the club. Ronaldo left by mutual agreement after giving an explosive interview to Piers Morgan, where he was critical of the club and said he did not respect then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo has not travelled with the rest of the squad for Wednesday's AFC Champions League Two clash against Goa. The Portugal superstar has been in great form in the early weeks of the campaign for club and country but will play no part in his team's fixture as Al-Nassr keep a careful eye on the 40-year-old's fitness.
Cristiano Ronaldo's former Juventus team-mate has undergone a remarkable career change, with a new selfie showing that he is now working on a building site. A former youth international, the construction professional is now making a living with his hands, having previously rubbed shoulders with the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star in Turin.
Al-Nassr new signing Joao Felix admits he is loving playing alongside Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for the Saudi Pro League side. Felix made the switch to the Middle East in the summer and has enjoyed a prolific start to life with his new club. The former Chelsea star says that having Ronaldo on the team helps him as defenders are often focused on the veteran instead.
Cristiano Ronaldo has linked up with another sporting GOAT in the form of Novak Djokovic. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 is still going strong at 40 years of age with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Djokovic, the most decorated player of all-time in men’s tennis, has spent time in Portugal of late. That allowed him to meet Ronaldo, as gifts were exchanged between the pair.
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Cristiano Ronaldo has grown accustomed to seeing his iconic goal celebration mimicked down the years. Screams of ‘Siuuu’ are no longer reserved solely for the Portuguese GOAT, with LA Rams wide receiver Davante Adams leading Wembley Stadium in a rendition of that during the latest instalment of NFL International Series games in 2025.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s son has earned a maiden call-up to the Portugal U16 squad, with the talented teenager continuing his impressive rise through the youth ranks with club and country. Cristiano Jr is, like his superstar father, currently on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Eye-catching performances in the Middle East are allowing international selections to be earned.
Julián Quiñones has moved past Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League scoring race after netting a hat trick against NEOM SC. The naturalized Mexican forward now has six goals through five matches, one more than the Al Nassr captain. Al Qadsiah sit second in the table with 13 points, two behind Ronaldo’s side.
Danny Simpson has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, detailed how Manchester United helped to mould Cristiano Ronaldo into a global superstar. The Portuguese icon took his first tentative steps towards greatness while at Old Trafford, with often surprising work behind the scenes - which left the odd team-mate confused - helping to turn CR7 into the phenomenon that he is today.
Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted directing IShowSpeed in drum beating celebrations after Al-Nassr's 5-1 victory over Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. YouTube sensation IShowSpeed, who is known to be a Ronaldo super fan, was spotted at the stands in Riyadh as he watched Ronaldo score a thunderous goal and help take Al-Nassr four points clear at the top of the league table.
Former Juventus defender Gianluca Frabotta has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo bizarrely took to smelling and chewing grass while in Turin. It was during the reign of Maurizio Sarri that the Portuguese icon indulged in some questionable behaviour, with the tactical demands of an enigmatic coach leaving the five-time Ballon d'Or winner feeling "annoyed".
Cristiano Ronaldo marked another historic milestone in style, scoring a spectacular long-range goal as Al-Nassr demolished Al-Fateh 5-1 in the Saudi Pro League. The 40-year-old reached an unprecedented 800 club career goals before delivering a trademark post-match message that reiterated his belief that hard work is central to everything that he has ever achieved.
Al-Nassr made light work of Al-Fateh on home turf on Saturday night as they eased to a 5-1 win. Victory saw Al-Nassr extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to four points as they extended their winning start to the season to five matches. It was a match of mixed emotions for Cristiano Ronaldo, however, who experienced an extreme high and low in a matter of moments in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo made amends for a penalty miss by scoring a stunning goal in the second half, while Joao Felix stole the limelight with a sublime hat-trick to help Al-Nassr pick up a thumping 5-1 win over Al Fateh on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League. Jorge Jesus' side maintained their 100 per cent record in the league, as they remained at the top of the table with 15 points from their first five games.
Manchester United star Matthijs de Ligt revealed why the Red Devils have always held a special place in his heart, and it all traces back to two club icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar. Long before he became one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders, De Ligt was just a football-obsessed kid in the Netherlands. He might have come through Ajax’s legendary academy, but beneath that red-and-white shirt, his footballing heart was always rooted for United.
Cristiano Ronaldo shared a bold new haircut as he showed off his shaved head as he returned to Al-Nassr training in Riyadh this week. The 40-year-old superstar looked every inch the warrior he is with his new look while going through the hard yards on the training pitch. Known for making regular tweaks to his hairstyle down the years, CR7 will hope this latest iteration helps him to deliver yet more success.
Harry Kane has been busy picking out some of his favourite players in quickfire quiz games with GOAL. The England captain named Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as part of his selection, as well as greats such as Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry. Former Three Lions strikers Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch were also on Kane's shortlist, as well as Bayern Munich team-mate Joshua Kimmich.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to complete a "beautiful story" by returning to his roots at Sporting, even if that path is trodden without taking on the No.7 shirt. Ronaldo took his first tentative steps down the road to superstardom in Lisbon and has seen it suggested on a regular basis that he could bring his record-shattering career full circle by finishing where it all began.
Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has opened up on his unexpected bond with Cristiano Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr. The Spaniard praised the Portuguese icon’s humility, calling him “approachable” and obsessed with football, while recalling a touching late-night meeting soon after his arrival at the Saudi Pro League club in the summer transfer window.
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford in some capacity, the Portuguese's former team-mate Danny Simpson has said in an exclusive interview with GOAL, as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to "make Manchester United great again". A third stint with the Red Devils may be taken in once retirement has been reached and a move into directorial posts is explored.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been hailed as the ultimate professional by his former Manchester United teammate Ben Foster — who revealed the Portuguese icon was 'definitely the teacher’s pet' under Sir Alex Ferguson. The former goalkeeper lifted the lid on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner’s legendary work ethic, discipline, and drive that set him apart from everyone else at Old Trafford.
Al Nassr FC
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