It is well known in the soccer community that soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo has dreamed of getting his hands on a World Cup for a long time.
Ronaldo has played for his nation, Portugal, in five World Cups. In that time, he has become the first person to ever score in 5 different FIFA World Cups. However, he has not managed to score in the tournament’s knockout stages on any of the 5 occasions, and neither has he been able to win the World Cup.
The dream seemed to be over after Portugal’s elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup after their defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinal.
However, FIFA has come out in an announcement to confirm that there will be a FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, featuring 32 teams, modeled on the actual FIFA World Cup.
Reputed soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported Gianni Infantino’s statement.
New men’s World Cup will start in 3 years, FIFA announces.
Gianni Infantino: “The new men’s Club World Cup will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams”. 🚨🏆
“32-team tournament will go ahead, making it like a World Cup”, Infantino added via @sr_collings. pic.twitter.com/YQZM38aNoT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 16, 2022
The FIFA President said: “The new men’s Club World Cup will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams. 32-team tournament will go ahead, making it like a World Cup”.
Even though this wouldn’t be the same as the real deal, it could still attract 37-year-old Ronaldo to carry on playing to give it a shot and achieve his dream of winning a World Cup.
On this day in 2017:
Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Club World Cup for the fourth time in his career. pic.twitter.com/yQK3EqX1F2
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 16, 2022
Ronaldo has previously lifted the FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester United in 2008, and thrice with Real Madrid in 2014, 2016, and 2017. These wins have all come in the tournament’s current format. As per the current format, The FIFA Club World Cup is a ten-day competition between seven teams.
The champions of North America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa, play each other in the quarterfinal. The two winners then face the winners of Europe and South America in the semifinal.
The final is then played between the two winning teams and the winner of the final will be crowned the FIFA Club World Cup Final.
Which team can Cristiano Ronaldo represent in the 2025 Club World Cup?
The Portuguese legend was a Manchester United player this season before his contract was mutually terminated by the club following his controversial interview with journalist Piers Morgan.
Erik ten Hag admits he felt blindsided by Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan. “The interview, I think, as a club you can’t accept. To make that step he knew the consequences. Until that moment he never told me ‘I want to leave’. He’s gone & it’s in the past.” pic.twitter.com/dRrpVd9guu
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 9, 2022
After the episode, the 37-year-old was tunnel visioned toward helping his country win the World Cup in 2022.
However, after Portugal’s exit from Qatar, reports of Ronaldo training at Real Madrid’s training center have been coming in. The soccer legend has been training in Madrid to keep fit while searching for a new club.
Several media outlets have reported Real Madrid’s generosity in allowing their former star player to train at one of the pitches in their Valdebebas training complex.
Cristiano Ronaldo has trained at Real Madrid sporting center Valdebebas in the last hours — on a separated pitch 🚨⚪️ #Ronaldo
As revealed by @relevo/@hugocerezo, Cristiano’s just working there to keep his form thanks to great relationship with the club, waiting for new chapter. pic.twitter.com/mrbFneIPkt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 14, 2022
Throughout the Word Cup, reports of Ronaldo’s allegedly impending transfer to Saudi club Al-Nassr have been pouring in.
Many media outlets have reported that Al-Nassr offered Ronaldo a multi-million dollar contract. However, Ronaldo’s camp is yet to respond to the offer.
Cristiano Ronaldo has ‘agreed incredible €200 million per season deal’ with Al-Nassr. pic.twitter.com/caXW1zKGy9
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 5, 2022
The January transfer window is nearing. Ronaldo’s super agent, Jorge Mendes, will surely be looking to land his client a gig, preferably in Europe.