Cristiano Ronaldo has ended speculation about his future by signing a two-year contract extension at Al Nassr.
Ronaldo, 40, who joined the Saudi Pro League club at the end of 2022, has signed with the Riyadh side for a further two years until the summer of 2027.
Nassr published a video across their social media channels with the caption: “The story continues.” It ends with Ronaldo saying the words: “Al Nassr forever.”
Ronaldo posted a picture of himself holding up a Nassr shirt with “2027" on the back and the message: “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.”
Thursday's announcement ends months of speculation that the Portuguese superstar was set to leave the club when his contract expired on June 30, especially after a cryptic message he posted on social media last month saying “the chapter is over”.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino poured petrol on the fire when he suggested Ronaldo could join a team involved at the ongoing Fifa Club World Cup in the US.
An extra transfer window (June 1-10) was in effect to allow the 32 clubs competing at the revamped tournament to sign players.
Ronaldo doused those flames days later when he revealed he would not play at the tournament, but that he had received “plenty of invitations” to play.
Al Nassr shocked the footballing world when they announced the signing of Ronaldo on New Year's Eve 2022, weeks after the striker had his contract with Manchester United terminated.
Though his move has elevated the Saudi Pro League to unprecedented levels, Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Nassr.
They finished second in his first season at the club in 2022/23 and ended runners-up again the following campaign, trailing Riyadh rivals and champions Al Hilal by 14 points.
The 2024/25 season saw Nassr finish third and be eliminated from the AFC Champions League Elite at the semi-final stage.
He will begin next season under a new head coach following the dismissal of Italian Stefano Pioli on Wednesday.
Despite Nassr missing out on a trophy, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star proved he is still a prolific finisher, scoring 34 goals in 40 appearances. In all, he has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances for the Saudi club.
He also helped Portugal win the Uefa Nations League two weeks ago, scoring a record-extending 138th international goal as Spain were defeated in the final on penalties.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is closing in on a scarcely believable 1,000 senior career goals, needing 63 more to reach the milestone.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
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Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
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%3Cp%3EApril%2021-23%3A%20Imola%3Cbr%3EMay%205-7%3A%20Misano%3Cbr%3EMay%2026-28%3A%20SPA-Francorchamps%3Cbr%3EJune%2023-25%3A%20Monza%3Cbr%3EJuly%2021-23%3A%20Paul%20Ricard%3Cbr%3ESept%2029-Oct%201%3A%20Mugello%3Cbr%3EOct%2013-15%3A%20Vallelunga%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
