Ronaldo absent with injury as Saudi soccer season ends
May 31, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia came to an end on Wednesday, although the star forward was absent as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fateh 3-0 to finish in second place in the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia ends without title as Al-Ittihad wins league
May 27, 2023 GMTCristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia will end without a trophy as his Al-Nassr team was beaten to the league title by Al-Ittihad in the penultimate round on Saturday.
Ronaldo arrived in Riyadh in January after being released from his contract by English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United and had to settle for second place in the 16-team Saudi Arabian league.
Ronaldo scores winner in Saudi Arabia, says league is improving
May 23, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr keep its Saudi Arabian title hopes alive by scoring the winning goal in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab on Tuesday.
If second-place Al-Nassr had lost the Riyadh derby then leader Al-Ittihad, which beat Al-Batin 1-0 earlier, would have been crowned champion with two games of the season remaining.
Cristiano Ronaldo happy again with Portugal’s national team
March 27, 2023 GMTCristiano Ronaldo is feeling at home again.
It took only two games for him to make his peace with Portugal’s national team and show he is not done impressing at the international level just yet.
Kane and Ronaldo help England and Portugal stay perfect
March 26, 2023 GMTEngland and Portugal made it two wins out of two at the start of European Championship qualifying, helped by their star players continuing their record-breaking streaks.
Ronaldo nets 121st, 122nd goals as Portugal routs Luxembourg
March 26, 2023 GMTLUXEMBOURG (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to lead a 6-0 rout of Luxembourg in European Championship qualifying as the Portugal star added to his records for international goals and appearances on Sunday.
Ronaldo sets record for most appearances, Portugal wins
March 23, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — It didn’t take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to put the World Cup disappointment behind him.
Back as a starter with Portugal’s national team, Ronaldo became the most-capped player in men’s international soccer on Thursday, scoring twice in a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein in 2024 European Championship qualifying.
On eve of record, Ronaldo a ‘better man’ after United ordeal
March 22, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo, on the eve of becoming the player with the most appearances with a national team in men’s soccer, said his difficult second spell with Manchester United made him a better man.
Portugal back with Martínez as coach, Ronaldo in the squad
March 22, 2023 GMTIt’s a new era for Portugal as it begins European Championship qualifying under a new coach and with Cristiano Ronaldo far away from soccer’s biggest stadiums.
Portugal starts its Euro 2024 qualifying campaign at home against Liechtenstein in Group J on Thursday, with Roberto Martínez debuting as coach and Ronaldo still in the squad.
Ronaldo included on Martínez’s first squad for Portugal
March 17, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — New Portugal coach Roberto Martínez included Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad on Friday since taking over from Fernando Santos following the World Cup.
The 38-year-old Ronaldo was left out of Santos’ starting lineup for Portugal's knockout-phase games at the tournament in Qatar, including the quarterfinal loss to Morocco.
Rashford scores twice, Man United beats Leicester 3-0
February 19, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — In this kind of form Marcus Rashford might just fire Manchester United to the Premier League title and more.
The striker scored twice to set up a 3-0 win against Leicester on Sunday as Erik ten Hag's team closed in on second-place Manchester City and kept the pressure on table-topping Arsenal.
Judge slaps $335K penalty on Ronaldo accuser’s Vegas lawyer
February 16, 2023 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — A Las Vegas lawyer has been hit with a $335,000 penalty for pressing a bid in U.S. courts to force Cristiano Ronaldo to pay millions of dollars more than the $375,000 in hush money he paid to a Nevada woman who claimed the international soccer star raped her in Las Vegas in 2009.
Benzema surpasses Raúl as Madrid beats last-place Elche
February 15, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema converted two first-half penalty kicks in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Elche on Wednesday and became the team’s second-highest scorer in the Spanish league with 230 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores 4 goals in Saudi Pro League game
February 9, 2023 GMTMECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals for his new Saudi Arabian team Thursday, bringing his career tally in domestic leagues to 503.
Ronaldo, four days after his 38th birthday, scored twice in each half to help Al Nassr defeat Al Wehda 4-0 in a Saudi Pro League game.
Saudi soccer influence grows by winning seat on FIFA Council
February 1, 2023 GMTSaudi Arabia added to its influence in world soccer on Wednesday, winning a seat on the FIFA Council and then being confirmed as host of the 2027 Asian Cup.
The election win at the Asian Football Confederation’s annual meeting followed Cristiano Ronaldo arrival last month to play in the Saudi league and longstanding speculation about a likely bid to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034.
Poland hires Santos as coach through 2026 World Cup
January 24, 2023 GMTWARSAW (AP) — Fernando Santos is going from coaching Cristiano Ronaldo to leading another soccer great, Robert Lewandowski.
A month after parting company with his native Portugal, Santos was presented in Warsaw on Tuesday as the coach of Poland's national team, covering the European Championship in 2024 and the World Cup in 2026.
Saudi league hires former Man City CEO after Ronaldo arrival
January 23, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Saudi Arabian soccer league hired the former chief executive of Manchester City on Monday to work on cashing in commercial opportunities created by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the country.
Ronaldo makes Saudi league debut for Al Nassr, doesn’t score
January 22, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in his Saudi Pro League debut for Al Nassr, but his presence electrified fans at King Saud University Stadium as the team beat Ettifaq 1-0 to retake first place on Sunday.
From Ronaldo to Rashford, how Ten Hag transformed Man United
January 21, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — After two games of the season Manchester United sat at the foot of the Premier League with no points and a goal difference of -5.
Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to edge showdown with Messi
January 19, 2023 GMTGrimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone, Cristiano Ronaldo steadied himself before scoring from the penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring old foe Lionel Messi.
It’s Messi vs. Ronaldo again in unlikely Saudi reunion
January 17, 2023 GMTOne of the greatest rivalries in soccer history is set to resume at the unlikely venue of Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium.
The stage is set Thursday for Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo when Messi's Paris Saint-Germain takes on a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal in an exhibition match.
Man United secure Weghorst after Ronaldo exit
January 13, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United has moved to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo by signing Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley until the end of the season.
Ronaldo left off FIFA award list headed by Messi, Mbappé
January 12, 2023 GMTZURICH (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the the 14-player shortlist for the annual Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the first time, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé among those selected.
Ronaldo, who was released by Manchester United and benched by Portugal during the World Cup, won the FIFA award the first two times it was handed out — in 2016 and 2017 — and was among the three finalists the following three years.
Manchester, north London derbies add intrigue to title race
January 12, 2023 GMTThe stage has been set for a straight shootout between Arsenal and Manchester City for the English Premier League title and that scenario will become more of a reality if they win their respective derby matches this weekend.
Bale retires at 33 with 5 CL titles, many Wales memories
January 9, 2023 GMTGareth Bale announced his retirement from soccer on Monday at the age of 33, ending the career of one of Britain’s greatest players after winning five Champions League titles and finally getting to play in a World Cup for Wales.
New Portugal coach Martínez pledges to talk to Ronaldo
January 9, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — Former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez was hired to lead Portugal's national team on Monday and pledged to respect Cristiano Ronaldo's history with the squad.
The Spaniard replaces Fernando Santos, who quit in December after Portugal’s elimination against Morocco in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Ronaldo set to face PSG, Messi in first game in Saudi Arabia
January 9, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game in Saudi Arabia is set to be against Paris Saint-Germain and a possible reunion with his career-long rival Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo experiences surreal start in Saudi Arabia
January 6, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The palm trees lining the desert roads leading out of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were wet with rain drops when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived this week in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
Ronaldo the latest star to end career in soccer outpost
January 6, 2023 GMTCristiano Ronaldo is not the first soccer superstar to head off to one of the world’s supposed minor leagues in the latter years of his career.
Ronaldo’s new club Al Nassr postpones game due to weather
January 5, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's new club, Al Nassr, postponed its scheduled Saudi Pro League home match on Thursday due to heavy rain.
What can Ronaldo expect from Saudi Pro League soccer?
January 5, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — As Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to point out, he has spent his storied career playing for the “most important” clubs in Europe.
Al Nassr was dubbed the “Global” club even before Ronaldo
January 5, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s new team Al Nassr is nicknamed Al Alami, meaning "The Global Club."
However, the Saudi Arabian club was hardly prepared to handle the sudden attention of the world that came its way following one of the most sensational signings in soccer history.
A club-by-club look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s glittering career
January 4, 2023 GMTA club-by-club look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s career ahead of the start of the Portugal superstar's time in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr:
SPORTING (2002-03)
At the age of 12, Ronaldo left the island of Madeira and headed to Lisbon for a trial at Sporting.
Can Ronaldo keep the eyes of the world on him in Saudi?
January 4, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest coach spoke of his surprise as he looked out at a room filled with reporters on Tuesday.
“Normally after the game there is three or four journalists.
Ronaldo arrives in Saudi, says he’s come to South Africa
January 4, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has just completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, but made a slip up during his official presentation in Riyadh on Tuesday when mistakenly saying he had “come to South Africa.”
Rampant Man United wins again, not missing departed Ronaldo
January 3, 2023 GMTOn the day Cristiano Ronaldo was presented at his new Saudi Arabian club, his former team Manchester United again showed it is not missing the Portugal superstar.
Ronaldo rejected offers elsewhere for top salary Saudi deal
January 3, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was presented as the superstar new signing of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Tuesday, with the team’s president saying the Portugal great deserves to be the highest paid player on the planet.
Ronaldo’s Saudi move tipped to increase eyes on Asian soccer
January 2, 2023 GMTWhen Cristiano Ronaldo is presented by Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on Tuesday in Riyadh, it will kick off a new era in Asian soccer.
Al-Nassr announced the signing of one of the world’s biggest sports stars on social media on Friday.
Ronaldo Saudi move to signal likely end of elite club career
December 31, 2022 GMTLess than two weeks after his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and likely signalled the end of his career in elite club soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo makes big-money move to Saudi Arabian club
December 31, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo completed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday in a deal that is a landmark moment for Middle Eastern soccer but will see one of Europe's biggest stars disappear from the sport's elite stage.
Loyal to Santos, Pelé toured and scored in Europe
December 30, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Pelé or Diego Maradona? Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Endless arguments over the greatest player in the history of men's soccer can often see cheap hits aimed at Pelé, who died Thursday at age 82, with the claim that he wasn't tested on the European stage against some of the best clubs in the world — unlike other soccer greats.
World reacts to death of Brazilian soccer king Pele
December 30, 2022 GMTReactions poured in from around the world to the death of Brazilian soccer legend Pele. He died of cancer in Brazil at age 82.
‘Greatest of all time’: Pelé as described by his peers
December 29, 2022 GMTPele has been praised over the decades by everyone from world leaders to artists. Here are superlatives from over the years about Pele, who died Thursday in Brazil at age 82:
Nobody disputes Pelé’s greatness but goal count fuels debate
December 29, 2022 GMTNobody disputes Pelé’s greatness and his penchant for scoring. The exact number of goals in his career will forever be a topic for debate.
Pelé often said one of the reasons he should be considered the greatest player of all time was because of his feat of scoring more than 1,000 goals.
Man United beats Forest 3-0, but Ten Hag wants a new striker
December 28, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — As Erik ten Hag confirmed Manchester United's ongoing search for a new striker, his existing ones made up for Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
AP PHOTOS: Favorite photos from AP staff at the World Cup
Man United advances, Brighton loses in League Cup
December 21, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford scored to help Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 and advance to the quarterfinals of the English League Cup on Wednesday.
The World Cup stars who could be on the move after Qatar
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — The World Cup is the biggest marketplace in soccer.
Perform well in front of a global audience and chances are that Europe's leading clubs will soon come calling.
Messi seeks glory, Argentina meets France in World Cup final
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — It is now or never for Lionel Messi.
The Argentina superstar’s once-in-a-generation career will be defined — for many — by whether he leads his country to the World Cup title on Sunday.
Messi carries the weight of Argentina into World Cup final
December 15, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — As Lionel Messi approaches his second and likely last World Cup final, the stakes could hardly be higher.
The same goes for Argentina after more than 30 years of disappointment since it last won soccer's ultimate prize.
Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0
December 14, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer's latest superstar against perhaps the sport's greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Morocco faces France in politically charged World Cup game
December 14, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Hind Sabouni bristles with pride as she recalls her country's history-making World Cup run as it eliminated one European soccer powerhouse and former colonial power after another — Belgium, Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal — to become the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals.
Moroccan World Cup ‘dream’ faces biggest test against France
December 13, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco's improbable, history-making run at the World Cup is about to get its ultimate test.
Africa’s first World Cup semifinalist is playing defending champion France and striker Kylian Mbappé, the leader of a new wave of soccer superstars coming out of an era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi, Modric get Argentina, Croatia to World Cup semifinals
December 12, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Tears are flowing from soccer's biggest superstars as they make emotional exits from what might be their last World Cup.
Portugal prepares for post-Ronaldo era after World Cup exit
December 11, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — The fortunes of Portugal’s national team have been inextricably linked with Cristiano Ronaldo for nearly two decades.
Ronaldo says his dream of winning World Cup has ‘ended’
December 11, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo said in a cryptic social media post that his dream of winning the World Cup with Portugal has ended, while stopping short of announcing his retirement from international duty.
Ecstatic Moroccans celebrate World Cup victory over Portugal
December 10, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Ecstatic Moroccans poured into the streets of cities across the North African country and far beyond on Saturday, waving flags, honking horns and lighting flares to celebrate the national soccer team's historic victory over Portugal at the World Cup.
Morocco reaches World Cup semifinals, tops Portugal, Ronaldo
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Africa finally has a team in the World Cup semifinals, and so does the Arab world.