According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Cristiano Ronaldo is discussing to perform at FIFA’s Club World Cup in June.
According to the president of the sports global governing body, Cristiano Ronaldo is taking part in a “discussion” that will perform at FIFA’s first Club World Cup this summer.
Gianni Infantino says former Manchester United and Real Madrid forwards may play in the tournament. It was staged in the US in June for a unique transfer window.
Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr was not qualified for the tournament, but Infantino suggested that the Portuguese star could switch to one of the 32 teams participating in the tournament.
“Cristiano Ronaldo may play in the Club World Cup,” Infantino told Ishowspeed, an online streamer with over 39 million subscribers to his YouTube channel. “There’s discussion with some clubs, so if the clubs are watching and are interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, then it’s still fun for a few weeks.”
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that last-minute transfer signatures have been open to all teams going to the tournament.
Such a move is unprecedented in modern football, but can appeal to FIFA by promoting profiles and ticket sales for the first tournaments in 11 U.S. cities.
The move for Ronaldo will reunite him and Lionel Messi in the same competition for the first time since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Last October, FIFA invited Messi’s Intermiami to participate in a tournament for a slot that was expected to be reserved for the Host Nation champion. Intermiami was eliminated in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Speculative reports have led Ronaldo to eligible Al Giral, Brazilian Club Palmeiras and Morocco’s Waidad, despite the club being currently barred from registering for new signatures by FIFA.
According to the exceptional rules approved in October, transfers can be made from June 1 to 10, and from June 27 to July 3.
“The goal is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts have expired and to find the right solutions to encourage players to participate,” FIFA said in a statement Wednesday.