Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he'll be sitting out of the Club World Cup, which Liverpool isn't involved in, having turned down proposals from competing teams.
Ronaldo's tenure with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr is drawing close to an end this month, and speculation abounds regarding the 40-year-old's next move. Gianni Infantino, who spearheaded the overhaul of the Club World Cup, hinted last month that Ronaldo could still participate despite Al-Nassr not securing a spot in the competition.
In a conversation with American streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino mentioned: "Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup.
"There are discussions. Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup, yeah. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows."
Nonetheless, despite the overtures made by certain clubs, Ronaldo has opted out of the tournament.
"I will not be at the Club World Cup," he said. "Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can't try and do everything. You can't catch every ball."
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo, 40, still wants to play at the highest level (Image: Getty Images)
Intriguingly, Fluminense's president Mario Bittencourt let slip that he had engaged Ronaldo's representative, Jorge Mendes, concerning the possibility of Ronaldo joining the Brazilian side for the event. Bittencourt shared: "I have a relationship with Jorge.
"Not a very close one but, if I call him, he answers. I asked him if there was any chance of Cristiano playing in the Club World Cup. He was very clear in telling me that he's not interested in playing in Brazil for now."
Following Al-Nassr's last league match of the season, Ronaldo sparked rumors about his next steps with a social media post stating: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."
Despite this, it's been reported that Al-Nassr are confident Ronaldo will extend his stay in Saudi Arabia. The former Manchester United ace is currently on international duty with Portugal and has indicated that his decision regarding his future is "almost final."
Ronaldo netted the decisive goal as Portugal edged out Germany 2-1 in its Nations League semifinal encounter on Wednesday, setting up a showdown with Spain in the final on Sunday. Ahead of the final, Portugal's manager Roberto Martinez praised Ronaldo's impact on the squad.
"Cristiano is a player who is playing in his fourth final for the national team," Martinez said. "He's incredible, an example. I love his hunger. He's a player who has won everything and the next day he's starting from scratch.
"For Rodrigo Mora, Quenda, Joao Neves to arrive in the locker room and be able to work with Cristiano is a gift. I hope tomorrow is a memorable day in our careers. I think the team's work is what happens in the locker room.
"We have to help the players enjoy the game, make a difference and win. In two and a half years, our work in the locker room has been mutual. We all have a total commitment, it's a supportive locker room that likes responsibility."