FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sparked excitement among football fans by suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo could still have a role in the upcoming Club World Cup, despite his current club, Al-Nassr, not qualifying for the expanded 32-team tournament set to take place in the United States this summer.
Speaking in a recent interview, Infantino noted there are ongoing discussions regarding Ronaldo's participation, hinting at the flexibility of player movements in light of a new transfer window running from June 1-10. This window allows clubs to finalize dealings before the tournament's commencement on June 14, where fellow superstar Lionel Messi is expected to play for Inter Miami.
Interestingly, Infantino remarked, "And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup," igniting speculation about which club might pursue Ronaldo. Reports from the Spanish outlet Marca suggest that a Brazilian club has already expressed interest in the legendary forward. Botafogo, one of the qualified teams, is seen as a potential destination, with their coach humorously responding to queries about Ronaldo's arrival by saying, “Christmas is only in December.” The coach admitted that having a star player like Ronaldo would be difficult to turn down.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after departing from Manchester United, is set to be a free agent this summer when his contract expires on June 30. His impressive legacy includes winning the Champions League four times with Real Madrid and multiple Ballon d'Or awards, and football enthusiasts are curious to see if he will take the field again in the prestigious tournament.
As excitement builds around this summer's Club World Cup, the football community eagerly anticipates the latest developments regarding both Ronaldo and Messi’s involvement.
