MENA Sports Wrap: Al-Nassr will probably be Ronaldo's last stop in a glittering career

Cristiano Ronaldo said he will likely retire at Al-Nassr in the next two or three years, making the Saudi club the likely to be the final stop in his career.

Sports

5 min read

The New Arab Staff

30 August, 2024

Ronaldo (L) has expressed satisfaction with his time in Saudi Arabia, suggesting it could be where he finishes his career [Getty/TNA]

Saudi Arabia is making headlines in sports this week, with Cristiano Ronaldo hinting at retiring at Al-Nassr and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters debuting in Riyadh.

Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2023, has expressed satisfaction with his time in Saudi Arabia, suggesting it could be where he finishes his career.

Meanwhile, Dutch Moroccan footballer Anwar El-Ghazi has returned to the pitch following a legal battle with Mainz 05, announcing a donation to Gaza’s children.

Ronaldo says he will 'probably' retire at Al Nassr in two or three years

Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that Al-Nassr will "probably" be the final club of his career before retirement.

The 39-year-old Portugal forward joined the Saudi Pro League team in January 2023 following his departure from Manchester United.

He had been linked with a return to Sporting Lisbon, where he began his career.

"I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr," he told Portuguese TV channel Now.

"I'm happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I'm happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue."

The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker has netted 898 career goals, including 130 for Portugal, and is eager to add more as he confirmed his desire to continue his international career.

"When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one," he added.

"Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches," he said. "We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play."

Ronaldo, who said that the idea of becoming a manager after retirement "doesn't even cross my mind", is set to receive a special award from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin in recognition of his accomplishments in the Champions League.

With 140 goals in 183 appearances, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, 11 goals ahead of Lionel Messi and 46 ahead of Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in third place.

Ronaldo has also won the Champions League five times - once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid.

The Cristiano Ronaldo effect: Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr

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Pro-Palestinian El Ghazi returns to football, donates to Gaza children

Dutch Moroccan footballer Anwar El-Ghazi has returned to football following a 10-month absence due to a legal battle with his now-former club, Mainz 05 in Germany, over his pro-Palestine support.

The forward made his debut for Championship side Cardiff City on Sunday and expressed excitement over his return to the game.

"Very grateful for my debut yesterday for Cardiff City FC after 10 months of not playing football," he said. "Now is the time to get fully fit and do what I love the most."

El-Ghazi’s return to the sport comes as he announced on Saturday that he would donate €500,000 from his Mainz payout to children in war-ravaged Gaza, following the outcome of his legal battle with the German club.

In July, the Mainz Labour Court ruled that the German side wrongfully terminated El-Ghazi’s contract and ordered Mainz 05 to pay the footballer €1.5 million in compensation. Mainz 05 still owes El Ghazi €200,000 in bonuses.

After receiving the payment, the footballer, formerly of Ajax, Aston Villa and other European clubs, said on X that he "would like to take tis moment to thank Mainz for two things".

"Firstly, the substantial pay off €500k of which will be used to fund projects for the children in Gaza.

"I hope Mainz, despite their repeated failed attempts to avoid making the due payment, take solace from the knowledge that they have, through me, contributed financially in trying to make life a little bit more bearable for the children in Gaza," he added.

"Secondly, in attempting to silence me, making my voice even louder for the oppressed and voiceless in Gaza."

In October last year, days after Israel began its military onslaught on Gaza, he shared a pro-Palestinian post on his Instagram account, which included the phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'.

El-Ghazi’s post prompted Mainz 05 to suspend him and make claims he distanced himself from his words before terminating his contract.

El Ghazi to donate €500,000 of his Mainz payout to Gaza children

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Snooker season continues with Saudi Arabia Masters

The first-ever Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters begins on Friday the first ranked snooker tournament in the Middle East since 2008.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the big names taking part in the Riyadh-based competition with a £2,000,000, prize pot including £500,000 for the winner.

Other stars taking part in the tournament include John Higgins, Mark Allen, and Judd Trump, who won the Shanghai Masters last month.

Being a ranked event, the tournament won't feature the controversial addition of a 'golden ball', a gimmick that brought the top break in a snooker match up from 147 to 167 when it was first tested at the World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh last year.

Saudi Arabia has only recently taken an interest in snooker, after making in-roads in football, Formula 1, and tennis.

The World Masters of Snooker was one of Riyadh's first forays into the sport, organised by Saudi sports tycoon Turki Alalshikh, with the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters seen as a more serious development of this tournament.

The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be held in the Green Halls in Riyadh until 7 October and The New Arab will be keeping you updated on all the latest developments.