Where Will CR7 Go to Play During the Club World Cup?
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup approaches, one of football’s biggest questions isn’t about which team will win but where Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing. Despite continuing to break records in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s current club, Al Nassr, failed to qualify for the tournament. With the competition set to kick off in the United States in mid-June, speculation is mounting over where the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could go to take part in what may be his last major international club tournament. Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in late 2022 marked a new chapter in his career, one that brought a flood of attention to the Saudi Pro League. He has since topped scoring charts and helped elevate the league's global profile. However, Al Nassr’s lack of silverware and their failure to earn a spot in the expanded Club World Cup have left Ronaldo in an awkward position. At 40 years of age, the chance to compete on a global stage is limited, and he seems determined not to miss it.
A recent cryptic social media post reading, “This chapter is over,” ignited rumors of an impending transfer. Sources close to the player suggest he is actively seeking a short-term move to a team that will feature in the Club World Cup. Fortunately for him, FIFA has opened a special transfer window from June 1st to June 10th, allowing participating clubs to sign players specifically for the tournament. This opens the door for a sensational move if the right opportunity arises. One of the most likely destinations is Al Hilal, the only Saudi team qualified for the tournament. The club has long been linked with Ronaldo, and their success both domestically and in the Asian Champions League could make them an attractive option. Reports indicate that Ronaldo is open to joining them, especially given their ambitious sporting project and consistent continental performance.
Another possibility is Monterrey, the Mexican club representing CONCACAF. They have already qualified and could see Ronaldo as a way to supercharge their marketing and on-field power. Interestingly, former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, who has been playing for Monterrey already, may be something that may attract Ronaldo to this club due to their past as teammates and great friends at Real Madrid. Botafogo in Brazil has also emerged as a surprise candidate, though the high cost of signing Ronaldo even on a short-term basis makes this a long shot. Still, their interest reflects the global pull the Portuguese star continues to command.
The biggest blockbuster rumored destination for the Portuguese icon is a familiar club. Real Madrid is rumored to be interested in signing Ronaldo on a three-month short-term contract. Xabi Alonso is said to have personally asked club president Florentino Pérez for this signing. Xabi Alonso knows Ronaldo from his time as a player at Real Madrid. They won the historic “La Décima” when they played the Champions League in 2014. Ronaldo would be a great way to help players gain experience like Kylian Mbappé in his quest to transition into the striker position, much like how Ronaldo transitioned from a winger to a striker later in his career, and add an extra boost in the Club World Cup for Los Blancos.
As the deadline nears and transfer discussions intensify, all eyes remain on Ronaldo. While no deal has been finalized yet, it is clear that he is not ready to sit this one out. For a player who has won nearly everything there is to win, a shot at the Club World Cup with a new team would not only add to his legacy but prove that even at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo still commands the game’s biggest stages. Whichever team decides to take him, he will add nothing but positive teams to their squads, and if Ronaldo indeed features in the Club World Cup this summer, eyes will be forced to watch in awe of this possible last opportunity to see Ronaldo shine on the world stage.
