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Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia in January

Photo: AHMED YOSRI / REUTERS

+++ Rumours +++

Premature flight Saudi Arabia? Ronaldo says no

Cristiano Ronaldo has countered speculation about an imminent departure from Saudi Arabia and has spoken of another year in the Al-Nassr FC shirt. "I'm happy here. I want to continue here and I will continue here," the 38-year-old Portuguese said in an interview published by the Saudi league SPL on Thursday evening. The fact that he didn't win a title in his first season wasn't a bad thing.

Without going into names, the five-time Champions League winner commented on the rumours of more football stars moving to Saudi Arabia. "When they come, big players and big names, young players, old players: they're all welcome. If that happens, the league will be better," he said.

Almost half a year ago, Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al-Nassr. According to media reports, he will receive the equivalent of around 200 million euros per season, including advertising revenue. Most recently, the »Mundo Deportivo« had reported that Ronaldo no longer felt comfortable in Saudi Arabia.

Beckham wants Messi

Superstar Lionel Messi will leave Paris St. Germain in the summer, and many clubs are likely to want to sign the world champion. Inter Miami, led by co-owner David Beckham, has been digging up Messi for a long time and has now apparently submitted a concrete offer – a salary of 50 million per year for four seasons. So that makes a total package of 200 million euros. This is reported by the newspaper Sport.

The U.S. club has just parted ways with Phil Neville and appointed Messi's compatriot Javier Morales as interim coach. Even though Messi already owns a house in Miami, after two years at PSG, a move to the desert is still considered more likely. Saudi Arabia has made an offer to its tourism ambassador for several hundred million euros in salary. A return to FC Barcelona is ruled out for financial reasons.

Will Terodde stay in Gelsenkirchen after all?

Contract turnaround for Simon Terodde: The attacker apparently remains at FC Schalke after relegation from the Bundesliga. This is reported by the Bild newspaper and Sky. Accordingly, the 35-year-old extends his contract with the Royal Blues by one year. Actually, Terodde had already announced his Schalke farewell in April.

The fans should be pleased: With 30 goals in the 2021/2022 season, Terodde led the club back to the Bundesliga in 2022 as second division champions.

  • You can read about Thursday's transfers and rumours here

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