Cristiano Ronaldo is once again dominating headlines—this time not for his goals, but for a surprising statement from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. During a livestream with popular YouTuber IShowSpeed, Infantino hinted that the Portuguese striker could join another team to play in the upcoming Club World Cup, prompting an immediate and strong reaction from the player’s representatives.

Infantino fuels speculation

The comment came during a casual exchange on Speed’s YouTube channel. When the streamer asked if he was a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Infantino responded with praise and mentioned that Lionel Messi will open the tournament with Inter Miami. But what caught everyone off guard was what came next: “Cristiano Ronaldo could also play the Club World Cup with another team… There are conversations happening with some clubs.”

This statement caused a wave of speculation, especially since Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s current club, did not qualify for the tournament taking place in the United States. Infantino went on to say there’s still time for a move, referencing FIFA’s special transfer window from June 1 to June 10 ahead of the tournament’s start on June 14.

Ronaldo’s camp denies exit rumors

However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s camp quickly responded. According to The Athletic, the player’s representatives expressed frustration over Infantino’s remarks and insisted that “there are no plans for a loan move.”

This firm denial comes amid ongoing rumors surrounding Ronaldo’s future, fueled by Al Nassr’s failure to secure a Champions League spot in Asia. Earlier reports claimed that Al Hilal had proposed a short-term deal for Ronaldo to play just during the Club World Cup, but the forward is said to have turned down the offer himself.

Interest from Brazil and possible Messi reunion

Other clubs rumored to be exploring the possibility of signing CR7 for the tournament include Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo, all of whom are set to participate. Even Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca reportedly made an approach.

If Cristiano Ronaldo were to join Palmeiras, he could face off against Lionel Messi, as both clubs are in Group A along with Porto and Al Ahly—setting the stage for a potential reunion between two of football’s greatest icons.

For now, Ronaldo remains tied to Al Nassr, but with the Club World Cup 2025 just around the corner, his next move continues to stir global intrigue.