Lionel Messi will play in the Club World Cup, but his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo will not. Or will he? FIFA President Gianni Infantino is personally fueling the transfer speculation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a chance that Cristiano Ronaldo could still participate in the Club World Cup at short notice. The 40-year-old Portuguese player missed out on qualifying for the tournament, which has been expanded to 32 participants, with his Saudi Arabian employer Al-Nassr, but could still make the leap by changing clubs.
“Ronaldo could also play for one of the teams in the Club World Cup,” Infantino said, apparently unprompted, in an interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed. ”There are talks… yes. Cristiano Ronaldo could play in the Club World Cup. There are talks with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in signing Ronaldo for the Club World Cup – who knows, who knows.”
Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr expires this summer after two and a half years. FIFA has created an additional transfer window specifically for Club World Cup participants, allowing them to sign players between June 1 and 10. The tournament kicks off on June 15 with an appearance by Ronaldo’s longtime rival Lionel Messi, who will face Al-Ahly (Egypt) with Inter Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.
Interest from Brazil?
Recently, several media outlets, led by Marca, reported that there is not only serious interest in CR7 from Brazil, but even an official offer. With Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo, and Fluminense, four clubs from the five-time world champions are participating in the Club World Cup. Apparently, Palmeiras is particularly keen on Ronaldo, while Botafogo coach Renato Paiva recently dismissed such rumors: “Christmas is only in December.” He knows nothing about it.
Ahead of the final matchday of the Saudi Pro League on Monday, Ronaldo leads the scoring charts with 24 goals in 29 appearances, but Al-Nassr are only fourth and have no chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Al-Ittihad have already been confirmed as the new champions. Last year, Al-Nassr finished runners-up behind Al-Hilal.
