Ronaldo 'could Play In Club World Cup' Despite Al-nassr Not Qualifying

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has claimed "there are discussions" complete Cristiano Ronaldo playing astatine nan Club World Cup this summer.

Ronaldo's club, Al-Nassr of nan Saudi Pro League, grounded to suffice for nan expanded 32-team tourney successful nan United States.

But Infantino says nan 40-year-old Portugal forward, who is retired of statement this summer, could still characteristic successful nan new-look event.

During an question and reply pinch YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino talked astir Ronaldo's awesome rival Lionel Messi playing successful nan tournament's opening crippled connected 14 June for his Inter Miami side.

He past added: "And Ronaldo mightiness play for 1 of nan teams arsenic good astatine nan Club World Cup.

"There are discussions pinch immoderate clubs, truthful if immoderate nine is watching and is willing successful hiring Ronaldo for nan Club World Cup... who knows, who knows."

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr successful 2022 aft leaving Manchester United mid-season and nan five-time Ballon d'Or winner's statement expires connected 30 June.

This year's Club World Cup will beryllium nan first to beryllium played successful nan summertime and nan first to characteristic much than 8 teams.

World football's governing assemblage Fifa has truthful introduced an further transportation model from 1-10 June, allowing clubs to complete deals successful clip for nan tournament.

Spanish newspaper Marca, external reported past play that an unnamed Brazilian nine had made an connection to Ronaldo.

Botafogo are 1 of 4 Brazilian teams to person qualified and their coach Renato Paiva was asked astir Ronaldo, external past Sunday.

He laughed earlier saying: "Christmas is only successful December. But if he came, you can't opportunity nary to a prima for illustration that.

"I don't cognize thing - I'm conscionable answering nan question. But, arsenic I said, coaches ever want nan best. Ronaldo, moreover astatine his age, is still a goal-scoring machine. In a squad that creates chance aft chance, he would beryllium good."

Botafogo are owned by American businessman John Textor, who besides holds a mostly liking successful Crystal Palace.

Ronaldo won nan Champions League 4 times during 9 seasons pinch Real Madrid earlier joining Juventus successful 2018.

Real and Juve are among nan 12 European clubs that person qualified, which includes Premier League teams Chelsea and Manchester City.

Between them either Ronaldo aliases Messi won nan Ballon d'Or from 2008 to 2017, earlier Messi won it 3 much times to springiness nan Argentine forward, 37, a grounds 8 wins.

Messi's Inter Miami are successful nan aforesaid group arsenic Egypt's Al Ahly, Portuguese broadside Porto and Brazilian nine Palmeiras.