Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have enjoyed a long-running rivalry after dominating world football for two decades. Both superstars are now entering the twilight of their careers, with former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen claiming the 40-year-old Portugal international is now in better physical condition than Inter Miami's World Cup winner.
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.
Cristiano Ronaldo has promised Dominik Szoboszlai to give him his shirt after the Liverpool midfielder missed out on swapping jerseys with his idol in Hungary’s World Cup qualifier defeat to Portugal. Szoboszlai, who has admired Ronaldo since childhood, was left disappointed after the Portugal captain had already given away his shirt but received a pledge instead.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni expressed his views on the eternal rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their potential last dance at the World Cup. The two icons have defined modern football for nearly two decades, and even now, as they edge towards the twilight of their glittering careers, their rivalry remains compelling as ever.
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Al Nassr FC
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