Messi-Ronaldo on same team? Infantino stirs Club World Cup speculation

Cristiano Ronaldo may yet have a role to play in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, despite his current club Al Nassr missing out on qualification. 

A surprising twist came from the top, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at the possibility of the Portuguese star featuring in the tournament under different colours.

In a recent interview with American streamer iShowSpeed, Infantino dropped a surprising hint regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's possible participation in the tournament, despite Al Nassr's failure to qualify.

"Cristiano could play in the Club World Cup; there have been talks. If any club is looking and wants to sign him, who knows? There are a few weeks left; it's going to be fun," Infantino said. He also praised both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, calling them "two excellent, great players".

Infantino further fanned the flames of speculation by suggesting a tantalising scenario that would have thrilled football fans for decades: Ronaldo and Messi playing together on the same team.

"I would love to see them play together. Can you imagine if they played on the same team during the tournament? It would be something special," he said, alluding to revived whispers around Inter Miami's interest.

The rumour mill surrounding Inter Miami has been grinding steadily, with reports resurfacing that club co-owner David Beckham had taken the lead in attempting to bring Ronaldo to Florida, allegedly after Messi gave his blessing to the idea. 

If the plan materialises, it would grant coach Javier Mascherano the unprecedented luxury of managing a lineup that could include both legends, with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric also mentioned as a potential addition.

Inter Miami, who booked their place in the 32-team tournament by topping last season's MLS regular season standings, are set to open their World Cup campaign on June 14 against Egyptian giants Al Ahly. 

They will face FC Porto of Portugal on June 19, before wrapping up their group stage against Brazil's Palmeiras on June 23.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo made his return to Al Nassr's starting lineup on Wednesday after a brief absence that stirred doubts about his future. 

The 40-year-old striker capped off a 2-0 win over Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League with a stoppage-time penalty, pushing closer to the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.

However, his future in Riyadh is uncertain beyond June 30. With Al Nassr failing to clinch the league title or secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League, the enormous cost of maintaining his contract—especially amid past failures in domestic and regional competitions—is under intense scrutiny.

Adding to the complications is Ronaldo's looming loss of Saudi Arabia's tax benefits, having now completed two years in the country. That factor is expected to be a major obstacle in any contract renewal talks.

Speculation around Ronaldo's next destination has reached fever pitch, with his name linked not just to Inter Miami, but also to several Brazilian clubs—Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo—although no specific club has been identified.

There's also a romantic twist in the tale: a return to Sporting Lisbon, the club where his storied career began, is being floated. Sporting have secured a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League, which could provide the perfect stage for a fairytale final chapter.

As the countdown to the 2025 Club World Cup continues, all eyes will remain on Ronaldo's next move—one that could yet rewrite footballing history once again.