Valencia and Atletico Madrid drew 2-2 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 24 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia. David Medié officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Valencia vs Atletico Madrid meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Valencia and Atletico Madrid. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 11 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Valencia and Atletico Madrid drew 2-2 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 24 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia. David Medié officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Valencia vs Atletico Madrid meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Valencia and Atletico Madrid. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 11 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
In his presentation as a Barcelona player, Rodri made it clear to Julian Alvarez that the door is open for him at the club. Rodri faced the media for the first time as a Barcelona player after signing a contract with the club through June 30, 2030, and one of the first topics that came up wasn’t about his own arrival, but about a possible future teammate. The Spanish midfielder was asked whether Barcelona should pursue Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward he played alongside for two seasons at Manchester City. The Argentine forward wasn’t called up for Atletico Madrid’s LaLiga opener, amid an increasingly tense relationship between both parties. Rodri didn’t shy away from praising his former teammate, though he was careful about how far he took it. “I’m quite cautious when it comes to players who don’t belong to the club. He’s an Atletico Madrid player, I respect Atletico Madrid, but it’s clear that Julian is a fantastic footballer, and he could bring what he is to any team in the world, one of the best forwards,” he said. He then pulled back from suggesting Barcelona were actively working on a deal, keeping the door open without confirming anything concrete. “That’s all I can say. I’m happy with the players we have, and Deco and the board are always thinking about improving the squad,” Rodri added, echoing the same cautious tone the club has generally kept around the Alvarez situation in public. Rodri marca los tempos ⏳ pic.twitter.com/kdRKd1qvzJ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 18, 2026 The situation between Barcelona and Alvarez Barcelona have wanted Alvarez for a while now, and the interest hasn’t cooled despite the lack of a breakthrough. The Argentine himself appears open to the move, having already made clear his desire to join, but Atletico Madrid have remained firm, insisting they won’t let him leave for anything less than his €500 million release clause. That figure has effectively frozen any real progress on the transfer, with neither side budging from their respective positions. Barcelona, for their part, haven’t backed off the pursuit either, continuing to monitor the situation closely, as they believe the player’s own willingness to join could still be enough to break the deadlock. Still, Barcelona are aware it won’t be easy to pry the Argentine away from Atletico Madrid, which is why reports indicate the club is also weighing other options at forward, like Sporting’s Luis Suarez, in case a deal for Alvarez ultimately doesn’t materialize.
In a recent post on X, journalist Fabrice Hawkins mentioned that Liverpool have agreed on a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. It has been stated that the Senegalese tal...
The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to competitive action with Al-Nassr is beginning to take clearer shape after the Portuguese superstar was handed a carefully managed fitness plan. The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Ronaldo has already returned to training, but Al-Nassr has decided to ease him back into competitive football rather than immediately throw him into the opening fixtures. A special fitness program has now been designed to prepare the 41-year-old for his comeback, with his workload being closely monitored by the club’s fitness staff. The Portuguese forward spent an extended period away from Al-Nassr following Portugal’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently returned to the Saudi club last week after enjoying time away from soccer, including his holiday with Georgina Rodriguez. Although Ronaldo missed the club’s preseason preparations in Lisbon, reports indicate that he maintained a good level of physical condition during his break. That has allowed Al-Nassr’s coaching staff to focus primarily on restoring his match sharpness rather than starting his conditioning work from scratch. The return of the GOAT is more likely than ever!🐐🥵 https://t.co/0mFElPY1dA pic.twitter.com/6zER04pEBD— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) August 18, 2026 Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Ronaldo has been placed on a special fitness plan designed by Al-Nassr’s fitness coach to raise his physical levels ahead of his return. Special 90-minute session forms part of comeback plan The latest update came as Ronaldo was scheduled to complete a 90-minute fitness session on Tuesday at Al-Nassr’s training center in Riyadh. The session is part of a tailored program intended to prepare him for competitive action in the coming weeks. Al-Riyadiyah reported that the club’s fitness coach had prepared a special program for the Portuguese star to build his fitness ahead of the upcoming matches. The session comes after Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, which the club won 3-0. He was also expected to sit out Tuesday’s King’s Cup Round of 32 clash against Al-Diriyah, with the coaching staff continuing to prioritize his gradual return. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training The exact return date is finally taking shape With the Al-Diriyah match effectively serving as another game Ronaldo will miss, attention now turns to Al-Nassr’s next league fixture. Ronaldo is now expected to return against Al-Riyadh on Friday, August 21, assuming he completes the fitness plan without any setbacks. That would give the veteran forward several more days to work on his conditioning before being reintroduced to competitive play. The timing also makes sense for Al-Nassr, which has little reason to rush its biggest star this early in a long campaign. Reports from Al-Riyadiyah also suggest Ronaldo has lost little of his sharpness during his time away from the club, providing further encouragement that his return could arrive sooner rather than later. The special fitness plan is therefore less about rebuilding his physical condition completely and more about making sure he is ready to handle the intensity of a competitive match.
Cristiano Ronaldo indicated this could be his final season as a professional and revealed which sport he'll take up in the future. Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about what could be the final chapter of his professional career in a wide-ranging interview with Vogue. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward didn’t rule out that this campaign with Al Nassr could be his last as a professional. “This is probably my last year of football,” he told the magazine, adding that he wants to leave behind a legacy fitting of his career. Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned,” he said. None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez. He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are married! For weeks, the internet was awash with speculation—about the date, the location, the guest list. (The rumored celebrity attendees included everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Rihanna.) In the end, the couple’s wedding took place on… pic.twitter.com/uBNOBVteye— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 16, 2026 On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends. Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues. Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it. Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.
Al Nassr face Al Diriyah today, August 18, in the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, with the big question on why Cristiano Ronaldo won't play. Al Nassr and Al Diriyah meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, and all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for this match. After the starting XI was announced, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s match against Al Diriyah. The Portuguese star did not feature in his team’s debut for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season either. Head coach Ange Postecoglou has decided to give the 41-year-old rest to regain match fitness following the 2026 World Cup and his recent wedding. Al-Nassr’s confirmed lineup While it is a Round of 32 cup match, Postecoglou deployed a strong starting XI similar to the squad featured in Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 SPL season against Al Fateh. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Al Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Salem, Simakan, Alamri, Boushal; Coman, Costa, Angelo; Mane, Felix, Hamdan. Al Diriyah’s confirmed lineup As for Al Diriyah, the start of the season did not go as planned following a home defeat against Al Ahli Saudi. The club is aiming to get back on track in the King Cup of Champions. Al Diriyah confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Al Faraj, Djimsiti, Mbemba, Al Obaid; Gueye, Al Malki; Diandy, Rodriguez, N’Koudou, Laborde.
LEWIS STEELE: Two weeks ago, it was probably fair to say Liverpool had a crisis in their defensive department and risked going into the new season incredibly undercooked.
Weeks of speculation have finally come to an end as Barcelona have officially announced Rodri as their new signing.The Spanish midfield general becomes the third major signing of the summer for Barcel...
Atletico Madrid open their LaLiga season against Malaga, with Diego Simeone leaving Julian Alvarez out of the squad amid ongoing speculation over his future. Diego Simeone confirmed Julian Alvarez will not be part of Atletico Madrid’s squad for Wednesday’s LaLiga season opener against Malaga, citing the Argentine forward’s fitness as the reason for his absence. “From a sporting standpoint, we look after the person, the player — we hope he gets into the condition we need so he can keep protecting the name he’s built, the player he is, and everything he’s given us. So we understand that he’s not in condition to be part of this game,” Simeone said in his pre-match press conference, adding that he hopes Alvarez can improve his condition over the next four days. The decision comes amid swirling speculation over Alvarez’s future at the club, with reports linking the World Cup winner to a possible exit. Simeone addressed the situation directly, pointing to club ownership’s firm stance on the matter. “Miguel Angel Gil Marin is the owner of the club and categorically spoke in the manner he did and there is nothing more to discuss,” the Argentine coach said, reaffirming that Atletico Madrid consider Alvarez’s €500 million release clause the only way out. ¡Preparados para el estreno liguero! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/Ff7FnAJstx— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 18, 2026 Simeone’s comments leave the door open for Alvarez’s return in the coming days, but for now his immediate future — both on the pitch and at the club — remains a talking point heading into the new season. Simeone weighs in on Alvarez’s standing with supporters Alvarez’s situation has stirred debate among Atletico Madrid’s fan base after the forward publicly declared during the 2026 World Cup that he wanted to leave the club. Following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in June, Alvarez told reporters, “I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream,” making clear his desire to move on despite the club’s resistance to selling him. That backdrop set up a pointed question for Simeone in Tuesday’s press conference: whether Alvarez owes the fans an apology over the transfer noise surrounding him. “People will think what they have to think. I’m very respectful of everyone’s opinion, whether it’s the case of Diego Costa, Griezmann, or now Julian. I’m very respectful of what everyone might think,” the coach said, drawing a parallel to past situations involving other Atletico players.
Atletico Madrid will kick off their 2026-27 La Liga season on Wednesday evening when they welcome newly-promoted Malaga to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s side will be targeting a stronger title challenge after a disappointing fourth-place finish last season, while Malaga return to Spain’s top flight for the first time since 2017-18. Verdict: Total […] The post Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Malaga appeared first on SoccerNews.
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While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
In his presentation as a Barcelona player, Rodri made it clear to Julian Alvarez that the door is open for him at the club. Rodri faced the media for the first time as a Barcelona player after signing a contract with the club through June 30, 2030, and one of the first topics that came up wasn’t about his own arrival, but about a possible future teammate. The Spanish midfielder was asked whether Barcelona should pursue Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward he played alongside for two seasons at Manchester City. The Argentine forward wasn’t called up for Atletico Madrid’s LaLiga opener, amid an increasingly tense relationship between both parties. Rodri didn’t shy away from praising his former teammate, though he was careful about how far he took it. “I’m quite cautious when it comes to players who don’t belong to the club. He’s an Atletico Madrid player, I respect Atletico Madrid, but it’s clear that Julian is a fantastic footballer, and he could bring what he is to any team in the world, one of the best forwards,” he said. He then pulled back from suggesting Barcelona were actively working on a deal, keeping the door open without confirming anything concrete. “That’s all I can say. I’m happy with the players we have, and Deco and the board are always thinking about improving the squad,” Rodri added, echoing the same cautious tone the club has generally kept around the Alvarez situation in public. Rodri marca los tempos ⏳ pic.twitter.com/kdRKd1qvzJ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 18, 2026 The situation between Barcelona and Alvarez Barcelona have wanted Alvarez for a while now, and the interest hasn’t cooled despite the lack of a breakthrough. The Argentine himself appears open to the move, having already made clear his desire to join, but Atletico Madrid have remained firm, insisting they won’t let him leave for anything less than his €500 million release clause. That figure has effectively frozen any real progress on the transfer, with neither side budging from their respective positions. Barcelona, for their part, haven’t backed off the pursuit either, continuing to monitor the situation closely, as they believe the player’s own willingness to join could still be enough to break the deadlock. Still, Barcelona are aware it won’t be easy to pry the Argentine away from Atletico Madrid, which is why reports indicate the club is also weighing other options at forward, like Sporting’s Luis Suarez, in case a deal for Alvarez ultimately doesn’t materialize.
In a recent post on X, journalist Fabrice Hawkins mentioned that Liverpool have agreed on a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. It has been stated that the Senegalese tal...
The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to competitive action with Al-Nassr is beginning to take clearer shape after the Portuguese superstar was handed a carefully managed fitness plan. The club is taking no chances with its captain after his extended summer break, and the latest update suggests supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch. Ronaldo has already returned to training, but Al-Nassr has decided to ease him back into competitive football rather than immediately throw him into the opening fixtures. A special fitness program has now been designed to prepare the 41-year-old for his comeback, with his workload being closely monitored by the club’s fitness staff. The Portuguese forward spent an extended period away from Al-Nassr following Portugal’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently returned to the Saudi club last week after enjoying time away from soccer, including his holiday with Georgina Rodriguez. Although Ronaldo missed the club’s preseason preparations in Lisbon, reports indicate that he maintained a good level of physical condition during his break. That has allowed Al-Nassr’s coaching staff to focus primarily on restoring his match sharpness rather than starting his conditioning work from scratch. The return of the GOAT is more likely than ever!🐐🥵 https://t.co/0mFElPY1dA pic.twitter.com/6zER04pEBD— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) August 18, 2026 Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Ronaldo has been placed on a special fitness plan designed by Al-Nassr’s fitness coach to raise his physical levels ahead of his return. Special 90-minute session forms part of comeback plan The latest update came as Ronaldo was scheduled to complete a 90-minute fitness session on Tuesday at Al-Nassr’s training center in Riyadh. The session is part of a tailored program intended to prepare him for competitive action in the coming weeks. Al-Riyadiyah reported that the club’s fitness coach had prepared a special program for the Portuguese star to build his fitness ahead of the upcoming matches. The session comes after Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, which the club won 3-0. He was also expected to sit out Tuesday’s King’s Cup Round of 32 clash against Al-Diriyah, with the coaching staff continuing to prioritize his gradual return. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training The exact return date is finally taking shape With the Al-Diriyah match effectively serving as another game Ronaldo will miss, attention now turns to Al-Nassr’s next league fixture. Ronaldo is now expected to return against Al-Riyadh on Friday, August 21, assuming he completes the fitness plan without any setbacks. That would give the veteran forward several more days to work on his conditioning before being reintroduced to competitive play. The timing also makes sense for Al-Nassr, which has little reason to rush its biggest star this early in a long campaign. Reports from Al-Riyadiyah also suggest Ronaldo has lost little of his sharpness during his time away from the club, providing further encouragement that his return could arrive sooner rather than later. The special fitness plan is therefore less about rebuilding his physical condition completely and more about making sure he is ready to handle the intensity of a competitive match.
Cristiano Ronaldo indicated this could be his final season as a professional and revealed which sport he'll take up in the future. Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about what could be the final chapter of his professional career in a wide-ranging interview with Vogue. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward didn’t rule out that this campaign with Al Nassr could be his last as a professional. “This is probably my last year of football,” he told the magazine, adding that he wants to leave behind a legacy fitting of his career. Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned,” he said. None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez. He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are married! For weeks, the internet was awash with speculation—about the date, the location, the guest list. (The rumored celebrity attendees included everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Rihanna.) In the end, the couple’s wedding took place on… pic.twitter.com/uBNOBVteye— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 16, 2026 On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends. Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues. Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it. Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.
Al Nassr face Al Diriyah today, August 18, in the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, with the big question on why Cristiano Ronaldo won't play. Al Nassr and Al Diriyah meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026–27 King Cup of Champions, and all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for this match. After the starting XI was announced, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s match against Al Diriyah. The Portuguese star did not feature in his team’s debut for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season either. Head coach Ange Postecoglou has decided to give the 41-year-old rest to regain match fitness following the 2026 World Cup and his recent wedding. Al-Nassr’s confirmed lineup While it is a Round of 32 cup match, Postecoglou deployed a strong starting XI similar to the squad featured in Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 SPL season against Al Fateh. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Al Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Salem, Simakan, Alamri, Boushal; Coman, Costa, Angelo; Mane, Felix, Hamdan. Al Diriyah’s confirmed lineup As for Al Diriyah, the start of the season did not go as planned following a home defeat against Al Ahli Saudi. The club is aiming to get back on track in the King Cup of Champions. Al Diriyah confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Al Faraj, Djimsiti, Mbemba, Al Obaid; Gueye, Al Malki; Diandy, Rodriguez, N’Koudou, Laborde.
LEWIS STEELE: Two weeks ago, it was probably fair to say Liverpool had a crisis in their defensive department and risked going into the new season incredibly undercooked.
Weeks of speculation have finally come to an end as Barcelona have officially announced Rodri as their new signing.The Spanish midfield general becomes the third major signing of the summer for Barcel...
Atletico Madrid open their LaLiga season against Malaga, with Diego Simeone leaving Julian Alvarez out of the squad amid ongoing speculation over his future. Diego Simeone confirmed Julian Alvarez will not be part of Atletico Madrid’s squad for Wednesday’s LaLiga season opener against Malaga, citing the Argentine forward’s fitness as the reason for his absence. “From a sporting standpoint, we look after the person, the player — we hope he gets into the condition we need so he can keep protecting the name he’s built, the player he is, and everything he’s given us. So we understand that he’s not in condition to be part of this game,” Simeone said in his pre-match press conference, adding that he hopes Alvarez can improve his condition over the next four days. The decision comes amid swirling speculation over Alvarez’s future at the club, with reports linking the World Cup winner to a possible exit. Simeone addressed the situation directly, pointing to club ownership’s firm stance on the matter. “Miguel Angel Gil Marin is the owner of the club and categorically spoke in the manner he did and there is nothing more to discuss,” the Argentine coach said, reaffirming that Atletico Madrid consider Alvarez’s €500 million release clause the only way out. ¡Preparados para el estreno liguero! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/Ff7FnAJstx— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 18, 2026 Simeone’s comments leave the door open for Alvarez’s return in the coming days, but for now his immediate future — both on the pitch and at the club — remains a talking point heading into the new season. Simeone weighs in on Alvarez’s standing with supporters Alvarez’s situation has stirred debate among Atletico Madrid’s fan base after the forward publicly declared during the 2026 World Cup that he wanted to leave the club. Following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in June, Alvarez told reporters, “I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream,” making clear his desire to move on despite the club’s resistance to selling him. That backdrop set up a pointed question for Simeone in Tuesday’s press conference: whether Alvarez owes the fans an apology over the transfer noise surrounding him. “People will think what they have to think. I’m very respectful of everyone’s opinion, whether it’s the case of Diego Costa, Griezmann, or now Julian. I’m very respectful of what everyone might think,” the coach said, drawing a parallel to past situations involving other Atletico players.
Atletico Madrid will kick off their 2026-27 La Liga season on Wednesday evening when they welcome newly-promoted Malaga to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s side will be targeting a stronger title challenge after a disappointing fourth-place finish last season, while Malaga return to Spain’s top flight for the first time since 2017-18. Verdict: Total […] The post Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Malaga appeared first on SoccerNews.
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