Latest Cristiano Ronaldo News

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns

Dec. 11, 2024 21:08 PM EST

ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only...

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up. Here’s what to know

Dec. 05, 2024 08:28 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — Soccer’s biggest ever global club tournament is coming to the United States next year and the 32-team group stage will be drawn Thursday. European powers Real Madrid and Manchester City, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, recently crowned South American champion Botafogo...

Face facts: Statues of stars like Kane and Ronaldo don't always deliver. Sculptors offer advice

Nov. 30, 2024 04:41 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — One art critic compared the new Harry Kane bronze statue to a bulging-jawed comic strip character. In Miami, observers say the Dwyane Wade sculpture looks more like actor Laurence Fishburne than the former basketball star. Of course, the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo...

Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in Champions League 100-goal club. Haaland nets 2 but City draws

Nov. 26, 2024 17:56 PM EST

ROME (AP) — Robert Lewandowski joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players in Champions League history with 100 or more goals. But Erling Haaland is on a faster pace than anyone by boosting his total to 46 goals at age 24 on Tuesday. Still, Haaland's brace wasn't...

Lockers used by Ronaldo, Beckham and other Real Madrid stars are up for auction

Nov. 20, 2024 14:31 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — It's a sports fan’s perfect storage solution: Metal lockers that once held the sweat-stained shirts and muddy cleats of some of the world’s greatest soccer players are up for auction. Sotheby’s is selling 24 lockers from the dressing room of storied club Real...

Viktor Gyokeres is outscoring Haaland, Lewandowski and Kane as striker's price tag hits $100M

Nov. 16, 2024 11:13 AM EST

Viktor Gyokeres is the Swedish striker whose explosive goal-scoring has made him one of the hottest properties in Europe and could see him become soccer's next $100 million-plus player. Yet Premier League clubs seemingly missed his rare talent when it was right under their noses. ...

Move over Messi and Ronaldo. A new generation of soccer stars is lining up to win the Ballon d'Or

Oct. 27, 2024 05:48 AM EDT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — No Lionel Messi. No Cristiano Ronaldo. When the Ballon d'Or is presented at a gala ceremony in Paris on Monday, it will feel like the start of a new era in soccer. There is also a sense of void now that one of sport's most engrossing rivalries is likely...

Messi's 10th hat trick raises total to 112 international goals as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier

Oct. 16, 2024 01:33 AM EDT

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat trick to raise his career total to 112 goals and also had a pair of assists to lead Argentina over Bolivia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. After missing a pair of October qualifiers while recovering from a...

Ronaldo scores again in Nations League win for perfect Portugal. Spain finds replacement for Rodri

Oct. 12, 2024 18:17 PM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored his record-extending 133rd international goal to keep Portugal perfect in the Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland on Saturday, and Spain struck late to edge Denmark 1-0. The 39-year-old superstar was there to put in the rebound...

Reactions to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal announcing his impending retirement

Oct. 10, 2024 21:01 PM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Reactions to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal announcing Thursday that he will retire from tennis after next month’s Davis Cup finals: ___ “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable...