Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada says it would have been “completely counter intuitive” for his club to sign Cristiano Ronaldo on a loan transfer from Riyadh rivals Al Nassr for the Club World Cup.

As Real Madrid prepare to open their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Miami against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, a bold admission from the Saudi club’s CEO has set off new speculation surrounding their ambitions.

While Al Hilal did not pursue Ronaldo’s signature, the Al Nassr forward did have the opportunity to take part in the Club World Cup. Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca made an ambitious approach but found Ronaldo to be accepting of the prospect of missing out on the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he’s almost certain he will not be playing at the Club World Cup. It deals a blow to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s hopes of having one of soccer’s biggest attractions at the tournament starting June 14.

Having teased a potential summer exit, Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be on his way back to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, ending any hopes he could have played a role in the upcoming FIFA Club World C

The revamped FIFA Club World Cup is just around the corner.Kicking off on June 14, the newly expanded tournament will feature 32 of the world’s top soccer clubs competing over a month-long spectacle across the United States.

The YouTube sensation attended the opening Club World Cup game wearing Ronaldo’s face on a shirt during the Herons’ clash against Al Ahly

After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami, and soccer may never be the same

Menna, the president of Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, has confirmed he made an ambitious approach to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for this summer’s Club World Cup. Ronaldo is in the final few weeks of his contract with Al Nassr and was tipped to join a new team specifically for this summer’s tournament,