Cristiano Ronaldo rejected the chance to play at this summer’s Club World Cup in order to prepare himself for the upcoming season, according to River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo, who failed with an offer to bring the Portugal international to the tournament.

In the end, not even Saudi Arabia or Gianni Infantino could engineer a way to get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi's free-kick goal led Inter Miami to a historic 2-1 victory over FC Porto in the Club World Cup, ending a 12-year unbeaten streak for European clubs.

Ronaldo himself has acknowledged that competing with Messi pushed him to improve, making their rivalry one of the most compelling in football history.

Lionel Messi has provided a rare glimpse into his relationship with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo by admitting the two footballing superstars are not friends. The legendary pair formed a rivalry that defined a generation,