- The Saudi Pro League enjoyed a six-week winter break but Ronaldo was busy
- Globe-trotting star has been in Madeira, Dubai and China as well as Saudi
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By Adam Shergold for MailOnline
Published: | Updated:
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80 View commentsCristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday this week with a selection of lavishly-decorated cakes.
The Instagram picture of him sunbathing after training he later posted suggesting he didn't touch a single crumb.
The fitness-obsessed Portuguese star remains as ripped as ever but even he isn't invulnerable when it comes to injury.
The Saudi Pro League's six-week winter break - which takes in the Asian Cup - has allowed Ronaldo time to recover from a calf issue and he'll hope to return to action soon.
Al-Nassr's last competitive game was the 4-1 win over Al-Taawoun on December 30, a result that kept them on the coattails of leaders Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo turned 39 last week, marking the occasion with a family photograph with partner Georgina Rodriguez, four of his five kids and some lavish birthday cakes
The next day, Ronaldo showed off his toned physique as he sunbathed after Al-Nassr training
Ronaldo last played on December 30, when Al-Nassr beat Al-Taawoun 4-1 in the Pro League
They pick up their AFC Champions League campaign against fellow Saudi club Al-Fayha on February 14 and resume league action against Al-Fateh three days later.
But Ronaldo's winter break has naturally been quite busy with a family holiday in Dubai, the receipt of yet more awards and a visit to China where he wasn't able to play.
The injury left him cheering from the stands as Al-Nassr crushed Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 6-0 last week.
His Argentine rival only made a late cameo off the bench but no doubt Ronaldo would have dearly loved to have help rub his nose in it in an utterly one-sided contest.
Ronaldo did travel to China, where he gave a press conference and waved at adoring fans holding No 7 jerseys from a bus window in Shenzhen, but he didn't take the field.
Al-Nassr were due to play Shanghai Shenhua on January 24 and Zhejiang four days later around a winter training camp in Shenzhen but Ronaldo's injury saw both fixtures postponed.
'I'm really sad because Al-Nassr and myself have come to China to enjoy the tour. We have not cancelled the game, we want to push for the game and be back here,' Ronaldo said.
Pushing the games back was probably a wise decision by Al-Nassr in light of the fury in Hong Kong that Messi remained on the bench in a much-hyped Inter Miami friendly there this week.
Ronaldo was the centre of attention on a visit to Shenzhen in China but two matches were postponed after he suffered a calf injury
Al-Nassr have said they will return to play the two tour games when Ronaldo is fit again
The star still travelled to China and gave a press conference before waving at his fans
Al-Nassr were able to stage a winter break training camp in China as Ronaldo nursed his injury
Ronaldo was presented to the crowd ahead of Al-Nassr's friendly with Inter Miami, which he sat out through injury
Ronaldo was seen cheering from the posh seats as Al-Nassr thrashed Messi's Inter Miami 6-0
The Argentine made only a late cameo appearance off the bench as his team were thrashed
After the supposedly unfit Messi came off the bench to play the next game in Japan, fans and media in Hong Kong cried foul.
On January 20, Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were in Dubai as he added yet more personal accolade to his enormous collection.
He won the award for Best Middle East Player, the Fans' Favourite Player of the Year and the Maradona Award for Top Goalscorer at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Ronaldo joked he had '10 years left' when asked on stage if he planned to retire anytime soon and left Erling Haaland - who won the main player award - looking unimpressed when he spoke about his top scorer award.
Ronaldo spent time with his whole family in Dubai during January's break in the season
Ronaldo and Georgina pose for a photograph in the sea during their sunshine break in Dubai
There were more personal accolades for Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
He was accompanied by his partner Georgina Rodriguez at the awards ceremony
Ronaldo also attended the Dubai International Sports Conference as part of his visit
The 39-year-old has continued to score goals at a prodigious rate, with 30 in 31 outings for Al-Nassr this season. He also netted 10 for Portugal in the calendar year of 2023 as he looks forward to Euro 2024.
The winter break has also allowed Ronaldo the chance to relax and spend time with family.
His birthday was celebrated with Georgina and four of his five children, while the whole family enjoyed a beach break in Dubai at the start of the month.
Temperatures are pleasantly in the mid-20s in Dubai at the start of the year and from the couple's Instagram pictures, the skies were blue and the sea was certainly warm enough.
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) December 31, 2023❗️
Cristiano Ronaldo gifts his mother a Porsche Cayenne on her birthday. ❤️pic.twitter.com/eRCEYnXuxX
Ronaldo's mum, Dolores Aveiro, was delighted to receive the Porsche Cayenne as a present
It came after they celebrated the New Year back in Ronaldo's birthplace of Madeira, taking in a spectacular fireworks display.
Ronaldo's sister Katia captured the moment their mother Dolores Aveiro shed tears of joy after the star gifted her a new Porsche Cayenne - which retails from £70,400 - for her 69th birthday.
But soon Ronaldo will begin his mission to exceed the 54 goals he scored during 2023. There's always more to achieve.
DubaiChampions LeagueAl-NassrChina
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