Cristiano Ronaldo has formally turned down participation in this summer's Club World Cup. Although he was presented with multiple offers, the Portuguese legend chose to prioritize rest instead of playing.
Having just signed a two-year contract renewal with Al Nassr, the veteran 40-year-old striker is concentrating on managing his workload for the challenging upcoming season. "There were opportunities for me to participate in the Club World Cup, but I felt it wasn’t wise," Ronaldo said to Al Nassr TV. "It's better for me to get good rest and proper preparation since this will be an extremely lengthy season ending with the World Cup."
A five-time Ballon d'Or champion isn’t hiding his objective: reaching peak condition for what might be his last major competition, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s a strategic move by an experienced player with grand aspirations remaining.
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