The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is fast approaching, and while much of the attention has centered on Inter Miami’s qualification as hosts, a swirling storm of speculation has set the soccer world alight. Could Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two icons of the modern era, really team up for one last dance on the global stage? The answer, surprisingly, is no longer a definitive “no.”
Over the past few days, an unexpected chain of events has pushed what once seemed like fantasy into the realm of possible. The circumstances are murky, the logistics improbable, and yet, Ronaldo’s potential participation in the tournament—despite Al-Nassr failing to qualify—is being openly discussed by the highest powers in the game.
The source of this sudden twist? “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written,” posted Cristiano Ronaldo, shortly after Al-Nassr’s final match of the season, igniting worldwide curiosity. The 40-year-old’s contract with the Saudi club expires at the end of June, and with FIFA’s unprecedented short transfer window for Club World Cup participants, the door is cracked open for a last-minute move.
Al-Nassr is not eager to lose their marquee player without a fight. Sporting director Fernando Hierro publicly confirmed that efforts are underway to keep the Portuguese forward. “Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until June 30. We will work to renew his contract so he can continue with us, and there are many clubs interested in signing him,” Hierro said at a recent press conference. “Cristiano has opened up soccer in this country to the world. It’s phenomenal that he had the courage to come here, stay here, and open up the Saudi Arabian league to the world.”
Despite these sentiments, Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain. There have been rumors of other clubs circling, including Saudi rivals Al-Hilal, Brazilian side Botafogo, and Moroccan champions Wydad—though the latter has denied any official talks. Still, what seemed entirely impossible just weeks ago now carries whispers of credibility.
Enter Inter Miami: The Messi-Ronaldo Dream
The most tantalizing possibility is one that fans worldwide have dreamed of for over a decade: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, playing together on the same team. That team? Inter Miami, the MLS side co-owned by David Beckham, already boasts Messi’s talents and is guaranteed a spot in the Club World Cup as hosts.
What makes this possibility truly surreal is the backing from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has openly encouraged the idea. “Discussions are underway,” he recently stated, suggesting that FIFA is prepared to bend the rules—or at least reshape them—for the sake of spectacle. A short-term contract, even just for the tournament, is now technically feasible under FIFA’s own regulations, as per Mundo Deportivo.
The logistics remain daunting. Ronaldo would need to leave Al-Nassr—or refuse a renewal. He’d need to agree terms with a new club, likely for a brief, high-stakes stint. And Inter Miami would have to shape its roster, tactics, and marketing machine around this once-in-a-lifetime pairing. But none of those are true deal-breakers.
