Cristiano Ronaldo won't be present at next FIFA Club World Cup. Nor is it for River Plate. Nor even for a Brazilian team. The player himself closed speculation with a short, direct, and definitive statement: “Future? Nothing will change. Al-Nassr, yes,” after Portugal's Nations League triumph.
And with it, number 7 ended two weeks' worth of rumor, speculation, and guessing that filled front pages and thrilled imagination on four continents. As it turned out, the enigma, fueled by a mysterious social media update, is over. Cristiano is staying in Saudi Arabia.
To some, it is a natural development. To others, a missed chance. Reality is, staying at Al-Nassr formalizes what was already happening behind closed doors: at 40, CR7 still has market value, but seems happy to stay as it is. The Saudi team, only this time in the national top three, still possesses its most glittering title, even as the sporting project lags behind what had been promised since 2023, when the Portuguese joined.
A posting made into an international soap
It started with a three-word update: “This chapter is over.” It was the end for the Saudi season, and there was no greater way for Cristiano Ronaldo than via his official page to end it in suspense.
The market perceived it as a goodbye signal. Speculation set off within minutes. River Plate, Boca Juniors, Brazilian clubs, even a return to European football, were some of those mentioned as potential destinations. Its timing coincided with the release of the squads for the 2025 Club World Cup, from which Al-Nassr won't be traveling. CR7, however, could have departed, had he taken an offer from a qualifying team.
Behind closed doors, a formal approach has been confirmed from an Argentine club. There was an offer, Cristiano conceded, but not names. There was an approach from an Argentine club, he said, without declaring whether it was River or Boca. No surprise there was interest. A player of such standing, even at a terminal stage in a career, gathers audiences, sponsors, and fans. Especially with a worldwide competition, under the limelight, with viewing in synch. But it never went anywhere.
Will a Club World Cup without CR7 be missed?
Cristiano Ronaldo's non-participation in the Club World Cup is, undoubtedly, a loss for FIFA, for the marketing value of the tournament, as well as for the aspirations of many fans. Having participated in all the great formats of the tournament since becoming one amongst all time greats, the Portuguese won with Manchester United in 2008, as well as with Real Madrid in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He is the top scorer in the history of the tournament with seven.