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Tag: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • Messi, Ronaldo Set To Play In World Cup For 6th Time

    Messi, Ronaldo Set To Play In World Cup For 6th Time

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to make their sixth World Cup appearances, which are currently being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

    Argentina will face Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Group J, while Portugal will play against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Houston Stadium in a Group K game.

    Before the tournament, the players who have appeared in all World Cup tournaments in the 2000s are attracting attention.

    Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old Argentinian striker who left his mark on world football in the 2000s, and Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese footballer, will also participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their 6th appearance in the tournament and setting a historic record.

    Lionel Messi

    The 38-year-old star player of Argentina, who won the last World Cup in 2022, is expected to be in the national team squad for his 6th World Cup.

    The Argentinian striker holds the record for most appearances in World Cup history with 26 matches.

    Starting the tournament at the age of 38, Messi could end his participation in the tournament at the age of 39, after his birthday on June 24, if Argentina manage to advance to the later stages of the tournament after the group matches.

    Messi also holds the record for the most goals scored in the World Cup for Argentina, with 13 goals in 26 matches.

    Argentinian star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who has appeared in five different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), scored 7 goals in the 2022 tournament, bringing his total to 13 goals.

    Messi, who has one World Cup title with Argentina, will try to lift the trophy for the second time in 2026.

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Portuguese star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been preparing to play in the 2026 World Cup for the sixth time as his country has secured its place in the tournament.

    The 41-year-old star footballer will have played in six different World Cups in the tournament’s history.

    Ronaldo, who aims to surpass the 1,000-goal mark in his career, is also aiming to continue scoring goals in this tournament.

    The star footballer has scored 8 goals in 22 matches across five FIFA World Cups during his career.

    Ronaldo holds the title of being the first footballer to score in five different World Cups, having scored in every tournament played from 2006 to 2022.

    The star footballer, who has not yet experienced the joy of winning the World Cup with Portugal, will be fighting for his first champions title in 2026.

  • Dembele Beats Yamal To Ballon d’Or As Bonmati Retains Women’s Award

    Dembele Beats Yamal To Ballon d’Or As Bonmati Retains Women’s Award

    Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or on Monday as a reward for his starring role in the club’s Champions League triumph last season, while Spain’s Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s prize for the third year in a row.

    Dembele, 28, edged out Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal to succeed Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who took the trophy in 2024, as the winner of the most prestigious individual prize in football — an award that for many years had been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona forward Dembele, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions as PSG claimed a French league and cup double as well as winning the Champions League.

    With Dembele converted into a centre-forward following Kylian Mbappe’s departure for Real Madrid, PSG went on to hammer Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich to win the European Cup for the first time in their history.

    “I really don’t have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG,” an emotional Dembele said on the stage at the Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris.

    He added that his boss Luis Enrique — who won the award for club coach of the year — had been “like a father” to him.

    “It is an individual trophy but it was really the collective that won it,” insisted Dembele, who was one of nine members of the triumphant PSG team from last season to be nominated for the prize.

    “The Ballon d’Or has not really been an objective for me in my career but I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League.”

    Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati won the men's and women's Ballon d'Or awards
    Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati won the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards

    The 18-year-old Yamal, who was a teammate of Dembele’s at Barcelona when he first broke through in 2023, did earlier win the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 — the second year running he has taken that award.

    Dembele was at the ceremony to pick up his prize while his PSG teammates were losing 1-0 in a Ligue 1 game in Marseille at the same time — that match had been scheduled for Sunday but was put back 24 hours due to bad weather in the south of France.

    Three in a row

    Barcelona and Spain midfielder Bonmati won the women’s prize by edging out her international teammate Mariona Caldentey, with whom she played in the Spain side who were beaten on penalties by England in the Women’s Euro 2025 final.

    Bonmati, 27, also lost the Women’s Champions League final with her club last season, at the hands of Caldentey’s Arsenal.

    Bonmati was named player of the tournament at the Euros, despite not starting either of Spain’s first two matches as she recovered from a bout of viral meningitis.

    “I am very proud,” said Bonmati, who credited her teammates for their role in her personal triumph.

    “I think I am here for the third consecutive time because of the teams I play in, so all of this is because of them.”

    Alessia Russo, one of the nominees from the triumphant England European Championship team and also of Arsenal, came third.

    Bonmati’s run of three in a row follows back-to-back victories for her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas.

    Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and USA star Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to have won the Women’s Ballon d’Or since it was introduced in 2018.

    The Ballon d’Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings for the men, and from the top 50 for the women.

    Vicky Lopez, the 19-year-old forward who is a teammate of Bonmati’s with Barcelona and Spain, was named best young women’s player.

    Gianluigi Donnarumma, who excelled in the PSG team that swept all aside last season before moving to Manchester City, claimed the Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper.

    England’s Euro winner Hannah Hampton claimed the best women’s goalkeeper award, while her international manager Sarina Wiegman was named best women’s coach.

    (AFP)

  • Cristiano Ronaldo Tops 2024 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

    Cristiano Ronaldo Tops 2024 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

    Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest paid athlete of 2024, according to a list compiled by Sportico, earning a reported $260 million, but no female athletes featured in the top 100.

    Soccer star Ronaldo’s impressive earnings came from $215 million in salary and winnings for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and the Portugal national team, and $45 million through off-the-field endorsements.

    The 40-year-old has enjoyed somewhat of a career renewal since moving to Saudi Arabia, scoring 82 goals in his 90 games for Al-Nassr and becoming the first man to have 900 career goals in September last year.

    Ronaldo is one of three soccer players to feature in the top 10 after big-money moves to Saudi Arabia, joined by Neymar and Karim Benzema, though the Brazilian star has since moved back to his boyhood club, Santos.

    In 2024, Ronaldo brought in over $100 million more than the second-placed athlete, with NBA superstar Steph Curry earning an estimated $153.8 million – $53.8 million through salary/winnings and $100 million through endorsements.

    Although his Golden State Warriors had a disappointing end to last season, Curry was paramount in Team USA’s basketball gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris in the summer.

    Britain’s Tyson Fury was in third with a reported $147 million in earnings – $140 million in salary/winnings and $7 million in endorsements – while Ronaldo’s long-time on-the-pitch rival, Lionel Messi, came fourth with $135 million in estimated earnings – $60 million in salary/winnings and $75 million in endorsements.

    Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James rounded out the top five at an estimated $133.2 million – $48.2 million in salary/winnings and $85 million in endorsements.

    Dak Prescott was the top-earning NFL player, with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback reportedly earning $100.4 million to finish in 12th position. Jalen Hurts – quarterback of the Super Bowl LIX-winning Philadelphia Eagles – finished in 65th with $46.1 million.

    While plenty of male athletes cashed in on their talents, no female athletes featured in the top 100.

    US tennis sensation Coco Gauff was the highest-earning female athlete last year at an estimated $30.4 million, having won the doubles title at the French Open as well as the singles championship at the end-of-season WTA Finals. For reference, the final athlete on Sportico’s top 100 list was former New York Giants and now Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones who earned $37.5 million.

    The 20-year-old tennis star also made history by becoming the youngest Team USA flag bearer at the Olympics and the first tennis player to carry the flag for the US.

    According to Sportico, the top 100 list includes athletes from eight sports and 27 countries. In total, those 100 earned $6.2 billion in total income in 2024, including $4.8 billion in salary and prize money and $1.4 billion from their endorsements away from the field.

    (CNN)

  • Ronaldo Reaches Deal With Saudi Club Al Nassr To Extend Contract

    Ronaldo Reaches Deal With Saudi Club Al Nassr To Extend Contract

    The official said the sides have agreed on the renewable extension of Ronaldo’s contract, “but it has not been signed yet. An announcement will be made over the coming days”.Ronaldo turned 40 last week with his current contract due to end in June 2025.

     

    The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star joined Al Nassr in January 2023 and has since scored 82 goals in 90 matches.

    In August, Ronaldo said he would stay with Al Nassr through the end of his professional career, which may be “soon or in two or three years”.

    “But it’ll most likely happen with Al Nassr, in the team that makes me happy… and where I feel good.”

    The Portuguese great appeared to trade an end-of-career payday for football obscurity when he moved to Riyadh’s Al Nassr two years ago in a deal said to be worth $250 million.

    But his influence became clear when he was followed by a parade of ageing superstars to the big-spending Saudi Pro League.

    Saudi Arabia was then awarded the 2034 World Cup in December, the crowning glory for the oil-rich kingdom’s strategy of revamping its image through sports, tourism and culture.

    When Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel in August, he gained one million subscribers in just 90 minutes and 20 million within 24 hours. He currently has 73.5 million.

    Although World Cup glory has probably eluded him, unlike his Argentine rival Lionel Messi, records still dangle in front of the five-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner.

    Despite his prodigious form as he closes in on 1,000 professional goals in official matches, Ronaldo is yet to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, with the Arab Club Champions Cup of 2023 his only triumph with the club.

    (AFP)

  • Cristiano Ronaldo Statue Unveiled At Times Square On 40th Birthday

    Cristiano Ronaldo Statue Unveiled At Times Square On 40th Birthday

    A towering 12ft (3.6m) bronze statue of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled in New York City’s Times Square on his 40th birthday. Fans gathered at the event, chanting Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuuu!” in tribute to one of the greatest footballers ever.

    Sergio Furnari known for his terra cotta-and-steel rendition of the iconic New York photograph “Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper” created the 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture. Even on his milestone birthday, tributes poured in worldwide,

    The giant statue of Cristiano Ronaldo inaugurated in Times Square on Wednesday, January 5 for the player’s 40th birthday. REUTERS

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable career

    Known for his incredible goal-scoring consistency, Ronaldo remains a dominant force in football, currently leading the Saudi Pro League with 15 goals for Al Nassr. His recent brace against Al Wasl took his career goal tally to an astonishing 923.

    The Portuguese superstar has set his sights on reaching 1,000 career goals, even as he continues to chase silverware with Al Nassr. Having won every major trophy in Europe with Manchester United and Real Madrid, Ronaldo remains football’s all-time leading international goal scorer with 135 goals.

    The giant statue of Cristiano Ronaldo inaugurated in Times Square on Wednesday, January 5 for the player’s 40th birthday. REUTERS

    Ronaldo’s career has been filled with record-breaking achievements, including scoring 450 goals for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018. During his nine seasons in Madrid, Ronaldo won four of his five Ballon d’Or awards, consistently battling Lionel Messi for football supremacy.

    He also became the first player to net in five consecutive World Cups. Ronaldo has captained Portugal to the European Championship and Nations League titles, the country’s first two major honours.

    Beyond the pitch, his influence extends to social media, where he boasts 648 million Instagram followers. In a historic milestone, his YouTube debut in September made him the first individual to surpass 1 billion subscribers.

  • Ronaldo Paid Off His Rape Accuser With ShSh38M

    Ronaldo Paid Off His Rape Accuser With ShSh38M

    The legal team of Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted for the first time that the Juventus start paid a woman who accused him of rape €375,000 ( ksh 38million) to settle the allegations made against him in 2009.

    Kathryn Mayorga filed a lawsuit in a state court last year in an effort to have the settlement invalidated on condition that Ronaldo and his legal team took advantage of her fragile emotional state, having accused him of sexually assaulting her after they met on a night out in Las Vegas.

    The Juventus forward denied the allegations and no criminal charges have been filed after Las Vegas prosecutors decided they cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Ronaldo’s lawyers have claimed that the pair had consensual sex on June 2009, and have accused Ms. Mayorga of attempting to extort the Portuguese footballer. Ms. Mayorga’s legal team refiled the lawsuit in federal court asking for the same invalidation, which seeks monetary damages of at least Ksh 16M (£165,000).

    Ronaldo’s lawyers on Friday stated that the court should acknowledge the €375,000 payment that was made to Ms. Mayorga, they said the payment was to maintain the confidentiality of their dispute. Ronaldo is arguing that Nevada’s statutes of limitations and the signed confidentiality agreement should annul her claims and that she failed to present sufficient evidence on the claim that she lacked the mental capacity to agree to the terms regarding her emotional state in the weeks after the alleged incident.

    Ronaldo had, earlier this month, lost a bid for dismissal or complete secrecy. Lawyer Larissa Drohobyczer, representing Ms Mayorga, said she was satisfied with US District Judge Jennifer Dorsey’s ruling in Las Vegas on 2 August.

    The media efforts to get a response from Peter Christiansen the lawyer representing the Juventus and Portugal player were fruitless after the lawyer declined to comment.

    “The cat is already out of the bag about Mayorga’s allegations” and the settlement.  I’m not satisfied that Ronaldo’s interest in holding Mayorga to her agreement is enough to justify sealing the entire record in this case. The documents themselves and direct quotes from any of them will remain sealed,” Judge Dorsey said

     

     

  • Cristiano: The World’s Most Expensive Car Owner

    Cristiano: The World’s Most Expensive Car Owner

    Cristiano Ronaldo makes the headlines again and this time around not by scoring magic goals.

    Former Man United and Real Madrid forward is the secret buyer of a one-of-a-kind $18 million stunning Bugatti — the most expensive new car ever.

    The soccer legend couldn’t hide the purchase anymore.  He posted this on his Instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/p/BZl9v6YFStc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Cristiano, the Portuguese soccer legend already boasts a collection of worlds most super expensive sport cars.

    Last year, CR7 as he’s popular known coughed $3.9Million to add Bugatti Chiron in his garage.

    Christiano’s new Bugatti will sit in his garage alongside the Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and a Rolls Royce Phantom.

    Ronaldo’s latest purchase
    Bugatti ‘La Voiture Noire’ was unveiled to petrol heads at the Geneva Motor Show.

    World’s most expensive new car ~Bugatti prototype

    The purchase is no surprise considering Cristiano is currently pocketing $926,000 per week at Juventus.

    The backside views of the Bugatti prototype 

    The French car moguls, Bugatti, has told Cristiano that he will need to remain patient until he puts pedal to the metal.

    Ronaldo won’t be able to drive off into the sunset until 2021. The company says they still need to finalise some small details on the prototype.