Ronaldo misses Club World Cup despite FIFA, Saudi push

Not even the influence of Saudi Arabia or FIFA President Gianni Infantino could bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup, despite a bold and public attempt to make it happen.

Last month, Infantino made an unusual appeal during an interview with YouTuber iShowSpeed, inviting clubs to consider signing Ronaldo on a short-term deal for the tournament. With the Portuguese star’s contract at Al-Nassr nearing its end, FIFA even opened a special mini transfer window to accommodate a potential move.

Given Ronaldo’s deep ties to Saudi Arabia—where he has been a central figure in the kingdom’s high-profile push to transform its football image—speculation swirled around a potential short-term transfer to Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s most successful club and sole Club World Cup representative.

But any move was blocked by a hard reality: the rivalry between Al Hilal and Al-Nassr. Despite both clubs being majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the idea of Ronaldo switching sides, even temporarily, was deemed unacceptable.

“While we all respect Ronaldo as a massive player, it goes completely against the logic to sign your biggest rival’s top player, even just for three or four weeks,” Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada told the BBC.

The saga illustrates the extraordinary lengths Saudi Arabia is willing—and able—to go in reshaping global sport. From launching LIV Golf and dominating boxing, to hosting F1 races and major tennis events, the oil-rich kingdom has placed itself firmly on the world’s sporting map. But football remains its crown jewel.

Since Ronaldo’s landmark move to Al-Nassr in late 2022, Saudi clubs have spent heavily on star players, gained international visibility, and secured the 2034 FIFA World Cup hosting rights. Still, their domestic league is yet to match the prestige of its European and South American counterparts.

That context makes Al Hilal’s current Club World Cup squad seem surprisingly understated. While the club did sign Brazil’s Neymar for $94 million in 2023, he was released in January after an ACL injury limited him to just seven appearances.

A last-minute offer for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was also rejected. Though the squad includes high-profile names like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves, the biggest recent acquisition might be on the touchline: Simone Inzaghi.

The former Inter Milan coach joined Al Hilal earlier this month and is set to lead them into battle against 15-time European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

“My ambition, the ambition of the club, is to try to grow more, to try to make Al Hilal become one of the best football clubs,” said Inzaghi ahead of his debut. “I believe the time has come to get out of my comfort zone.”

The match is shaping up as a symbolic showdown between the old guard of world football and its most aggressive new challenger.

Real Madrid, with its record trophies and global stature, represents the traditional heart of the sport. But Saudi Arabia’s financial power and long-term vision are undeniably reshaping the global football landscape.

“Sometimes we just focus on what’s going on in Europe, and we think there’s nothing else beyond Europe,” said Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso. “We’re too focused on Europe.”