Ronaldo in talks to join FIFA Club World Cup

Sunday 25 May 2025 - 08:31

By: Zahouani Ilham

Ronaldo in talks to join FIFA Club World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo may feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup this summer, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Though Ronaldo's current team, Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia, did not qualify for the tournament, a special transfer window may allow him to join one of the 32 participating clubs.

Infantino revealed during an appearance on popular YouTuber IShowSpeed's channel that conversations are ongoing with several clubs regarding Ronaldo's possible short-term move. "Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup," Infantino said, noting that there’s still time for clubs to secure new players.

FIFA announced on Wednesday that all clubs in the competition can make last-minute signings, raising the possibility that Ronaldo could join on a temporary basis. This potential transfer, while unconventional, could significantly raise the tournament’s visibility and help drive ticket sales, especially as it is being held for the first time across 11 cities in the United States.

If the move materializes, it could also see Ronaldo and Lionel Messi compete in the same tournament once more, the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Last October, FIFA invited Messi's club, Inter Miami, to join the tournament in place of the host country's league champion. However, Inter Miami did not advance beyond the MLS Cup playoffs.

Ronaldo has been speculatively linked with Al Hilal the only Saudi club qualified for the event as well as Brazil's Palmeiras and Morocco’s Wydad, although Wydad is currently banned from registering new players by FIFA.

FIFA has authorized two exceptional transfer windows for this tournament: June 1–10 and June 27–July 3.