The Portuguese forward posted photos of himself in the club’s training kit on his social media accounts on Thursday, captioning the images simply “Back ”. The pictures showed the 41-year-old with a new copper-yellow hair, a clear departure from the dark brown style he had worn for years, including during Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

Ronaldo rejoined the squad after Portugal’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team was eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16. He was granted additional time off by Al Nassr following the tournament and his private civil wedding to Rodríguez on August 11 in Cascais, Portugal.

The intimate ceremony was attended by their five children. The couple, who have been together for nearly a decade, confirmed the marriage with a photograph of their wedding rings.

Last season, Ronaldo helped Al Nassr end a long wait for domestic glory by winning the Saudi Pro League title. He scored 28 league goals as the club finished top with 86 points, two clear of rivals Al Hilal winning his first major trophy with the Riyadh side since joining in late 2022 and Al Nassr’s first league crown since 2019.

Al Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou and teammates welcomed the captain back with applause during a team session, acknowledging both his return and recent marriage, AS the club also posted images of his arrival, teasing fans with the caption asking who had shown up at the training ground.

Ronaldo now prepares for the new Saudi Pro League season as a married man with Al Nassr preparing to open their title defence against Al Fateh on August 15.

Fans reacted strongly to the post and the fresh look. #SumolaIdowu wrote “Started off a single man, now a married man. Congratulations Cristiano! May your new home last your lifetime.” While #Symplyher14 said “Welcome back to the pitch my GOAT!”

#SundayOb posted “Welcome back to the team, time to perform and complete the 1000 goals target.” As #CAgbawe simply noted “That hair Wow!”, #underthetre_e declared “This is absolute GOLD ”.While #D_PenGame added “the GOAT is backkkkk congratulations on your wedding sir.”

The new season marks another chapter for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as he continues chasing career milestones with Al Nassr.

Source: punchng.com

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Unai Emery’s dominance of the UEFA Europa League has been accompanied by an equally striking struggle in the UEFA Super Cup, with his latest defeat against Paris Saint-Germain extending a perfect losing record in the competition.

Emery’s Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 by PSG in Salzburg on Wednesday, despite Brian Madjo’s historic equaliser, leaving the Spanish manager with four defeats from four UEFA Super Cup appearances.

The latest setback came just months after Emery guided Villa to their first major European trophy since 1982, beating Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final to claim a record-extending fifth Europa League title.

UEFA describes Emery as the competition’s most successful manager, having won it three times with Sevilla, once with Villarreal and now with Villa.

Yet the Super Cup has repeatedly proved to be his stumbling block.

His first appearance came in 2014, when Sevilla were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid.

A year later, Sevilla suffered another defeat, losing 5-4 to Barcelona after extra time in one of the competition’s most memorable finals.

UEFA’s official records confirm both results.

Emery returned to the competition in 2021 with Villarreal after winning the Europa League. His side drew 1-1 with Chelsea after extra time before losing 6-5 on penalties.

Five years later, his fourth opportunity ended in another defeat.

PSG took the lead before Villa teenager Madjo levelled shortly before half-time, becoming the youngest scorer in Super Cup history.

Désiré Doué then restored PSG’s lead after the break to secure another European trophy for the French club.

The contrast with Emery’s Europa League record could hardly be sharper.

His five triumphs came in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2026, while he has also reached six finals in the competition.

For Villa, however, the defeat does not erase what Emery has achieved. His Europa League success against Freiburg ended the club’s 30-year wait for silverware and restored its status as a major force in European football.

But for Emery personally, the Super Cup remains the one European trophy occasion that continues to elude him — four appearances, four defeats.

FULL LIST: Emery’s four Super Cup defeats

2014: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla

2015: Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (after extra time)

2021: Chelsea 1-1 Villarreal (Chelsea won 6-5 on penalties)

2026: PSG 2-1 Aston Villa

Source: punchng.com

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Super Falcons’ hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil ended on Thursday after they lost 2-1 to South Africa in the Confederation of African Football play-off match at the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Falcons had missed out on an automatic World Cup ticket after their quarter-final defeat by Cameroon on Sunday.

The defeat to Cameroon also ended Nigeria’s run of reaching at least the semi-finals at every previous edition of the WAFCON and handed the 10-time African champions their worst-ever finish in the competition.

However, Nigeria had another opportunity to revive their hopes of maintaining their record of featuring at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but the Falcons were unable to overcome South Africa.

After a goalless first half, Thembi Kgatlana broke the deadlock in the 56th minute before Refiloe Jane doubled South Africa’s advantage in the 77th minute.

Nigeria mounted a late rally after a VAR review awarded the Falcons a penalty and resulted in Jane being sent off.

Christy Ucheibe converted from the spot in added time to give Nigeria hope, but the Falcons could not find an equaliser as Banyana Banyana held on for victory.

The defeat means Nigeria will miss the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

South Africa, meanwhile, will advance to the intercontinental play-off tournament scheduled for November and December, where three teams will claim the remaining African tickets to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The 2026 tournament will be one to forget in a hurry for Nigeria, who came to Morocco off the back of a record-extending 10th triumph last year.

This year, Justine Madugu’s team began the tournament badly, losing 3-2 to WAFCON debutants Malawi on July 28.

The Falcons recovered to beat Zambia 1-0 and Egypt 3-0, reaching the quarter-finals via a dramatic permutation but the 1-0 quarter-final defeat by Cameroon ended their title defence.

Source: punchng.com

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