Cristiano Ronaldo Is in ‘Spectacular’ Form, Says Portugal’s Neves

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Cristiano Ronaldo Is in ‘Spectacular’ Form, Says Portugal’s Neves

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team mate Ruben Neves says his captain is in "spectacular" shape as the team prepare for their opening World Cup match against Ghana on Thursday. 

Wolves midfielder Neves, one the leaders of the changing room, dismissed any speculation that 37-year-old Ronaldo was not in peak form, saying he looked like his old self in training. 

"From what I've seen in training, he's in spectacular shape," Neves told a news conference in tournament host Qatar on Sunday. "He doesn't worry us at all, we as a team know perfectly well what we need to work on so that each individual stands out on gameday." 

"If we're good as a team, Cristiano will be phenomenal." 

Neves also said Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive TV interview, in which the Manchester United forward said he had been betrayed by the club and was being forced out, had not been a distraction in the Portugal changing room. 

He said the furor had nothing to do with the national squad. 

"Sure, it's impossible for us to walk around without been asked about the controversy, but I don't think there's any controversy at all between us in the changing room," added 25-year-old Neves. "We have a spectacular environment right here." 

After missing Thursday's friendly against Nigeria in Lisbon due to a stomach problem, Ronaldo trained normally on Saturday, smiling and joking with his team mates. 

Portugal are in World Cup Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. 



Liverpool Sign Defender Kerkez from Bournemouth

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 25, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez in action with Leicester City's Kasey McAteer Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 25, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez in action with Leicester City's Kasey McAteer Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
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Liverpool Sign Defender Kerkez from Bournemouth

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 25, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez in action with Leicester City's Kasey McAteer Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 25, 2025 AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez in action with Leicester City's Kasey McAteer Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Liverpool have signed Hungary left back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, the Premier League champions said on Thursday.

The Merseyside club agreed a 40 million-pound ($54.9 million) fee to recruit the 21-year-old on a five-year contract, their third signing of the transfer window after midfielder Florian Wirtz and wing-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

"It's a real honor for me, a privilege to come to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, (the) biggest club in England. I'm just really, really happy and excited," Kerkez said in a statement, Reuters reported.

"I'll go home and in my hometown enjoy a few days, and then I can't really wait to come back and put the training kit on and start to train and prepare for the season."

Kerkez joined Liverpool after two impressive seasons at Bournemouth, in which he made 74 appearances.

Born in Serbia, Kerkez has earned 23 caps for Hungary since making his debut against Germany in 2022.