Cristiano Ronaldo may not have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup with Al-Nassr, but according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the Portuguese icon could still feature in the revamped tournament. As speculation mounts and offers reportedly arrive from Brazil, football fans are left wondering: will Ronaldo grace one more global stage?
A twist in the tale for Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s current club, Al-Nassr, failed to qualify for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup set to take place in the United States this summer. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could still make an appearance, if recent comments by FIFA president Gianni Infantino are anything to go by.
In a lively interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino discussed Lionel Messi’s scheduled appearance in the tournament’s opening match with Inter Miami on June 14 — and casually dropped a bombshell: “And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo… who knows, who knows.”
With Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr set to expire on June 30, the timing aligns perfectly for a short-term deal. FIFA has even introduced a special transfer window from June 1–10 to facilitate signings ahead of the competition, which will be the first Club World Cup played in the summer and the first to include more than eight teams. The question is no longer if Ronaldo could play — but for whom?
Rumors swirl: Could Brazil be his next destination?
According to Spanish outlet Marca, a Brazilian club has already made an offer to bring Ronaldo onboard for the tournament. Among the contenders is Botafogo, one of four Brazilian sides to have qualified for the Club World Cup, alongside Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Fluminense.
When asked about the potential signing, Botafogo manager Renato Paiva responded with humor and awe: “Christmas is only in December. But if he came, you can’t say no to a star like that… Ronaldo, even at his age, is still a goal-scoring machine.”
It’s not entirely far-fetched. Botafogo is owned by John Textor, the American businessman who also holds stakes in Crystal Palace and Lyon — and who might be inclined to make a bold move on the world stage. Textor has shown an appetite for ambitious projects, and the Club World Cup offers a unique, time-bound opportunity to showcase a superstar like Ronaldo to a global audience.
Familiar faces and fierce competition
Should Ronaldo join a participating team, he wouldn’t be the only football legend in the tournament. Lionel Messi is confirmed to feature with Inter Miami, who are grouped alongside Egypt’s Al Ahly, Portugal’s Porto, and Brazilian giants Palmeiras. The event promises not only the potential final chapter in the Ronaldo–Messi saga, but also a rich field of elite clubs from across the globe.
Twelve European teams have qualified, including heavyweights like Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Ronaldo’s illustrious history with both Real and Juve adds an extra layer of intrigue — could a brief reunion be in the works?
During his nine-season spell with Real Madrid, Ronaldo lifted the Champions League trophy four times, cementing his status as one of the greatest of all time. Though unlikely, a sentimental return to one of his former clubs, even on a short-term basis, would make headlines and potentially help deliver yet another glittering accolade to an already storied career.
A legacy worth one more stage
At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations. Since moving to Al-Nassr in 2022 following his abrupt departure from Manchester United, he has remained prolific, notching goals and headlines alike. While his club form has stayed strong, many believed his days on football’s biggest stages were over.
But the Club World Cup — newly reformatted, widely watched, and happening in a World Cup host nation — presents an irresistible swan song. For Ronaldo, this could be a final act in the global spotlight, a chance to go head-to-head with Messi one more time, and a way to remind the world of his enduring greatness. FIFA’s willingness to open an extra transfer window for the tournament shows just how seriously the organization takes this revamped format. And Infantino’s carefully chosen words — part tease, part invitation — suggest that behind-the-scenes negotiations may be further along than they appear.
Will it happen?
While no official confirmation has emerged from Ronaldo or his camp, the rumors are gaining traction. With time ticking and the tournament just weeks away, fans and pundits alike are left speculating on one of the biggest “what-ifs” of the football summer.
Could we witness Cristiano Ronaldo donning a new jersey, taking on the world once more? As Infantino says: “Who knows, who knows.” But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Ronaldo’s career, it’s to never count him out. The summer stage is set, and the world is watching.
