Question marks surround the not too distant future of Cristiano Ronaldo. His contract with Al Nassr will be in a few weeks (30 June to be precise), and there are no indications about the player who stays with the club established in Riyad. In the meantime, there are a series of teams participating in the club World Cup that knocks at his door.
Having the Portuguese star on the very first 32-teams extensive club World Cup in the United States would yield a huge boost for FIFA in terms of marketing and publicity. And on a sporty front, despite being 40 years old, Cristiano is a top scorer in the Saudi Pro League and remains a starter for the Portugal side of Roberto Martínez, who want to win the upcoming Nations League at the beginning of June.
FIFA announced on Wednesday that the 32 Club World Cup teams will be able to make signing sessions during the extraordinary registration period from 1 to 10 June. Their communique explained:
'In accordance with the regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 ™ and the relevant changes in the regulations on the status and transfer of players, all 20 members' associations Wier Clubs will participate in the groundbreaking competition of FIFA, the opening of an exceptional registration version of 1 to 10 June. The deadline for the final player list was set on 10 June 2025, so that each participating club can bring new players to the United States in this special window.
De betrokken ledenverenigingen bevinden zich in: Argentinië, Oostenrijk, Brazilië, Egypte, Engeland, Frankrijk, Duitsland, Italië, Japan, Korea Republiek, Mexico, Marokko, Nieuw -Zeeland, Portugal, Saoedi -Arabië, Zuid -Afrika, Spanje, Tunesië, de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten en de Verenigde Staten '.
CR7 for the US?
So what does this mean for Ronaldo? The Portuguese were able to play in the club World Cup with a participating team and then sign a new contract with another club for the 2025-26 season, or even renew with Al Nassr and stay in Riyad.
The only exception would be that an agreement, including a financial, should be reached with Al Nassr to have Cristiano play before June 30. Whether that would already release him to participate in the World Cup club.
If the Saudi club digs their heels in it, the other exceptional period FIFA from 27 June to 3 July has another option for interested clubs for two new registrations. They can come across the knockout phases of the round of 16 and reach the final with the potential star improvement of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Given this possibility, speculation is now starting to grow in relation to possible offers from CWC -bound teams in registering Cristiano for a short -term window.
Hilal is heavily connected, as well as a series of Brazilian sides such as Botafogo, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense.
Many options, many doubts, but one reality: Cristiano Ronaldo has a chance to play in the club World Cup. The next two weeks will be crucial to determine his immediate future.