PCB Chief Creates Big Controversy; Follows Rauf’s mocking, citing a Cristiano Ronaldo Video!
Christiano Ronaldo is seen in a video posted on social media, explaining how his direct free kick dipped and struck the nets. But Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is the ‘Interior Minister’ and chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, on Wednesday, used Ronaldo’s video and created a big controversy with a provocative gesture against Indian military. Earlier, during the Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai last Sunday, Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military action. ACC chairman also fueled the controversy with the post of Ronaldo’s video, trying to mean how Pakistan brought down India’s planes during the post-Pahelgaon-attacks. The controversy has caught the attention of both BCCI and ICC mandarins, and only time will tell if action will be taken against Naqvi as a result. Meanwhile, India has filed an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhin for their provocative gestures during the two sides’ Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai last Sunday. It is reliably learnt that the BCCI filed the complaint against the duo on Wednesday and ICC is in receipt of the e-mail. An ICC hearing is expected to take place in case Sahibzada and Rauf deny these allegations in writing. They might have to appear before the ICC Elite Panel Referee, Richie Richardson for a hearing. In its retaliation, the Pakistan Cricket Board also seems to have lodged an official complaint with the international parent body against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for expressing his solidarity with victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating his team’s victory to the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. His comments came after the September 14 game.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Lionel Messi’s record to begin Portugal’s World Cup 2026 bid
Cristiano Ronaldo began his campaign for a sixth FIFA World Cup finals with flair, scoring twice and setting records as Portugal routed Armenia 5-0 in their qualifiers opener Saturday night. After Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Ronaldo doubled Portugal’s lead in the 21st with his 139th international goal, brushing past his defender to connect with a cross from close range. With his 140th goal, Ronaldo surpassed Lionel Messi on the all-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers scoring list, reaching 38 goals in 48 appearances compared to Messi’s 36 in 72 matches. Ronaldo will be firmly in contention to top the charts when the UEFA Nations League winners go up against Hungary later next week and have four other games left in the qualifiers. Only Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz has scored more goals in WC qualifiers, standing one ahead of Ronaldo with 39 goals in 47 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo set to earn Rs 2000 Crore per year against his new 2-year contract with Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo who signed a new contract with Al-Nassr for the next two years will be warning an astronomical amount according to a report published by Talksports. According to the report, Ronaldo is set to earn 178 million pounds per year (approx 400 million Euros or INR 2000 crore over the next two years), after signing a contract extension at Al-Nassr. The deal also includes the following: 24.5 million pounds signing bonus (increases to 38 million pounds in the second year), 8 million pound bonus if Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League, 5 million pound bonus if Al Nassr win the Asian Champions League, 4 million pound bonus for winning the golden boot and 15% ownership of Al Nassr (estimated at 33 million pounds) The Portuguese goalscorer superstar arrived in 2023 in the kingdom to play with the club, heralding a rush of players in the latter stages of their careers to the oil-rich country. Last month, Ronaldo posted “This chapter is over” hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up with Al Nassr finishing third and trophyless once again. “Ronaldo’s presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia,” a source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football, told AFP last month. The oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund behind a number of big-ticket Saudi investments, controls a group of Pro League clubs including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in turmoil as coach exits
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr is without a head coach after Stefano Pioli departed on Wednesday. The Italian is expected to return home and take charge of Fiorentina. Al Nassr, which is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, now finds itself without a manager just days before Ronaldo’s contract expires on Monday. The 40-year-old forward has been with the club for the last two-and-half years. In a statement posted on social media, the club announced: “Pioli and his staff are no longer the acting coaching staff of the first team.” Pioli previously coached Fiorentina for two seasons until 2019 and went on to win a Serie-A title during his five-year tenure at AC Milan. He joined Al Nassr, replacing Luís Castro, who was dismissed earlier in the year. Pioli previously coached Fiorentina for two seasons until 2019 and went on to win a Serie A title during his five-year tenure at AC Milan. However, Cristiano Ronaldo also thanked his former coach, Stefano Pioli, with an Italian message on social media as the ex-Milan boss formally leaves Al-Nassr to join Fiorentina. Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 36 matches at Al-Nassr under Pioli. The Saudi side hired the Italian tactician in September 2024, and the 59-year-old won 28 games from 44.
Ronaldo to continue with Al Nassr; Wants to play the key role of ‘decision-maker in the transfer market!
Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna confirmed a week ago that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend will remain at Al-Nassr but that he will be ‘the main decision-maker’ in the transfer market. Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Al-Nassr, as exclusively revealed. The agreement has been reached between the parties CR7 has received all the necessary guarantees from the PIF to build a competitive. He will be the main decision-maker in the transfer market this summer. ‘A new sporting director should arrive in the club Al-Nassr wants a new center back, defensive midfielder, and a left winger. The club howver is open to offers for Sadio Mané, and Brozovic, and Otavio. After helping Portugal to Nations League glory last week, Ronaldo revealed that he will be staying at Al-Nassr, he commented: “Practically nothing will change. Will I be in Al Nassr? Yes.” And during his new contract negotiations, Spanish website Ronaldo ‘demanded’ one signing in the form of Manchester United winger Garnacho, who is set to leave the Red Devils this summer. Garnacho has caused unrest in recent weeks with a video appearing to show him pushing past a fan on the street on the Red Devils’ tour of Southeast Asia.
Ronaldo drops tears of joy after winning the Nations League for Portugal!
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of joy as they won their second Nations League title on Sunday, insisting that winning trophies with his country is more than the club honours. Ronaldo’s 138th international goal in the second half took the final to penalties after a 2-2 draw with Spain with the substituted 40-year-old forward looking on from the sidelines as Portugal netted all five spot kicks to claim the title. The triumph, which left the five-time Champions League winner in tears, was Ronaldo’s third on the international stage, accompanying his 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League winners’ medals. “What a joy,” Ronaldo told Sport TV. “First of all for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children, my wife, my brother, and my friends came here. “Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It’s tears. It’s duty done and a lot of joy. “When you talk about Portugal it is always a special feeling. Being captain of this generation is a source of pride. Winning a title is always the pinnacle in a national team.” Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain. He said last week he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts later this month, despite being courted by clubs taking part in the 32-team tournament. The Al-Nassr forward said he had several offers from other teams to play in the U.S., while his side’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro said last month they were negotiating with Ronaldo over a contract extension but faced competition from clubs eager to sign the five-times Ballon d’Or winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo says Al-Nassr chapter ‘over’; reportedly gets offer from a Brazilian club!
Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo indicated on Monday that he could leave Al-Nassr after declaring the ‘chapter is over’ hours after the Saudi Pro League finished. Ronaldo, 40, joined Al-Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United and his contract in Saudi Arabia ends this June.. A special transfer window runs from June 1-10 to allow the 32 clubs involved in the Club World Cup to sign players. The iconic goalscorer is said to be in talks with a few clubs over a switch ahead of the start of the Club World Cup. Al-Nassr missed the elite Asian Champions League title, losing to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in April’s semi-finals, and were third in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo ended as the league’s top goal scorer this season on 25. In the match against Al Fateh, Ronaldo netted his 99th goal in 105 appearances for Al Nassr, but his team fell short in a 3-2 defeat. Last year, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he could end his career with Al-Nassr. The Portuguese star, who has scored 937 official goals in his career (801 at club level), could be on the move. Reports last week suggested he’s received a lucrative offer from an unnamed Brazilian club, offering him a chance to feature in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Al Nassr bow out of AFC Champions League; Ronaldo misses sitter in injury-time
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr crashed out of the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals on Wednesday when they were beaten 3-2 by Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale. Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the UEFA Champions League, hit the woodwork with a first-half header in Jeddah and spurned a golden opportunity right at the death. The Al Nassr captain, still to win a major trophy in his two and a half years in Saudi Arabia, left the pitch shaking his head. Frontale, who were contesting their first Champions League semi-final, will now meet Jeddah-based Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in Saturday’s showpiece. They become only the fifth Japanese club to reach the final of the continent’s premier competition. Frontale, who edged 2011 champions Al Sadd of Qatar 3-2 in extra-time on Sunday, began the semi-final with only one foreign player in their starting line-up, in stark contrast to big-spending Al Nassr’s seven. It was Frontale who took a surprise lead in 10 minutes when Tatsuya Ito met a looping clearance from Mohamed Simakan and sent a superb volley from the edge of the Al Nassr penalty area high into the top corner past Brazil goalkeeper Bento. But just before the half-hour mark, Sadio Mane leveled. The former Liverpool forward cut in from the left and then watched as his effort took a heavy deflection off Frontale stand-in captain Yuichi Maruyama, which was just enough to beat goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi. Soon after, Ronaldo attempted an audacious overhead kick but sent it well wide, while a minute Later, he out-jumped his marker to crash a close-range header against the upright. However, four minutes before half-time, Frontale restored their lead.
