Cristiano Ronaldo
January 2026
Al-Nassr fell four points off the top after losing 2-1 to Al Qadsiah, despite Ronaldo scoring a penalty, increasing pressure on their title chase. Ronaldo framed the slump as normal in football, urged professionalism and belief, and posted that the fight is not over, insisting Al-Nassr will keep pushing for trophies.
Joao Felix
January 2026
Joao Felix said Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence and professionalism have helped make him a better player at Al-Nassr, calling him a unique talent and a daily example. Felix pointed to Ronaldo’s work rate, dedication, and performance level at age 40 as a benchmark that lifts the squad’s professionalism and motivation, as Al-Nassr chase trophies and Felix matches Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race.
Luka Modrić
January 2026
Luka Modrić has named Jose Mourinho as the toughest manager he worked under, claiming Mourinho’s intensity once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears in the Real Madrid dressing room. Modrić described Mourinho as the strictest coach of his career. Modrić recalled arriving at Real in 2012 under Mourinho and experiencing a demanding environment despite a squad packed with stars. He contrasted that period with later trophy-heavy seasons under other managers, but singled out Mourinho’s edge and pressure as unmatched.
Kylian Mbappé
January 2026
Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss at least three weeks, hitting Real Madrid as they return from the winter break. He has been a near ever-present this season with 27 goals across La Liga and the Champions League.
How: Mbappé had been managing the issue for weeks but an MRI confirmed a ligament lesion requiring rest and treatment. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis and will monitor his progress, with the decision to stop now aimed at avoiding a more serious long-term problem.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Paul Pogba received the Globe Soccer Awards 2025 Best Comeback Award after returning to football with Monaco following a reduced doping suspension. He used his speech to thank his family and specifically referenced Cristiano Ronaldo for support during the period. Pogba’s four-year ban for an adverse test was reduced to 18 months after an appeal, allowing a return to training in January 2025 and a summer move to Monaco following Juventus terminating his contract. He has since made three appearances and described the time away as personally testing.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf hopes the 2026 tournament becomes Cristiano Ronaldo’s crowning moment, arguing that while the Portuguese icon’s legacy is already secure, lifting the trophy after Lionel Messi’s 2022 triumph would fundamentally change how his career is judged. Leboeuf admits he has criticised Ronaldo before but says a World Cup win is the one missing piece when compared with Messi. Seeing Portugal’s stacked squad, he believes they have the tools to emulate Argentina’s 2022 run and finally give Ronaldo the ultimate international prize.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Marlon Harewood says Cristiano Ronaldo’s longevity and numbers were signposted as early as his Manchester United days, arguing that his current output at 40, plus his ambitions to reach 1,000 goals and play with Cristiano Jr, are the product of extreme professionalism. Reflecting on facing Ronaldo in England, Harewood highlighted his work ethic, physical standards and mentality, describing him as the blueprint to show young players. With titles and goals across United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, he believes nobody should be surprised by Ronaldo’s sustained dominance.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Al-Nassr have been placed under a FIFA transfer ban that prevents them registering new players from December 19, with the sanction recorded as lasting “until lifted”. Several other Saudi clubs, including Al Shabab, Damac and Al Riyadh, have also been hit with similar restrictions. The ban’s duration and precise cause have not been publicly detailed, echoing a 2023 registration suspension resolved when Al-Nassr cleared outstanding financial obligations. The new halt creates major uncertainty around mid-season squad planning in Riyadh and could force the club to prioritise internal solutions.
Bruno Fernandes
December 2025
Fernandes addressed claims Portugal play better without Ronaldo, accepting the team can look freer at times but insisting that responsibility lies with the squad, not just their captain. He stressed Ronaldo remains elite in the box, drawing defenders and creating space that others must exploit intelligently. Using comparisons to Gonçalo Ramos and Bernardo Silva, Fernandes argued every attacker adds some qualities and removes others, including himself. He said Portugal must adapt to enhance each player’s strengths, including Ronaldo’s penalty-box threat and gravity, rather than blaming one individual for tactical issues in a team packed with creative options.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
Simakan described playing with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr as something that once felt “impossible”, given their age gap and Ronaldo’s legendary status. Since arriving from RB Leipzig, he has featured regularly alongside the Portuguese icon, gaining experience from his standards, preparation and relentless competitiveness. Simakan highlighted Ronaldo’s leadership in training and matches, stressing how his mentality, work rate and expectations shape the dressing room. The defender credits their time together for raising his own level, calling the experience surreal yet invaluable as Al-Nassr chase domestic and continental trophies with Ronaldo still central to their plans.
