Cristiano Ronaldo has made a career of redefining expectations. At 40, he remains the world’s most recognizable footballer, a marketing juggernaut, and—perhaps most impressively—a player still capable of influencing big games. As his time at Al Nassr draws to a close, speculation over his next move is building, and the timing could not be more intriguing: the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is on the horizon, a tournament tailor-made for a farewell performance on the global stage.
While no decision has been announced, several clubs have emerged as realistic suitors. Some offer legacy, others ambition, and a few—perhaps both.
Inter Miami
The idea seems like fantasy: Ronaldo and Messi, side by side. But Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, are reportedly exploring exactly that. The club will represent MLS at the 2025 Club World Cup and, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, is “willing to do everything possible to unite Messi with Cristiano.
Ronaldo once ruled out a return to Europe, saying, “I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I’m 38-years-old.” Miami, however, offers an entirely different proposition. A short-term deal focused solely on the Club World Cup would not contradict that stance, and the marketing upside would be seismic. There are logistical challenges, including salary caps and roster rules, but if anyone can find a loophole, it’s Beckham.
LAFC
Los Angeles FC is another MLS team quietly positioning itself for a splash. As a recent MLS champion and consistent title contender, LAFC offers both ambition and exposure. The club’s participation in the 2025 Club World Cup makes them an eligible and intriguing landing spot.
For Ronaldo, LAFC could provide a glamorous lifestyle, a competitive squad, and a foothold in the massive West Coast market. The club has been aggressive in its pursuit of big names in the past, and a short-term deal to feature in the Club World Cup is well within the realm of possibility. While LAFC may not generate the same buzz as a Messi-Ronaldo reunion in Miami, they could offer more tactical clarity and a more balanced roster.
Monterrey
Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey is another dark horse. The Mexican side has qualified for the Club World Cup and already boasts an experienced, battle-hardened squad. The presence of veteran stars like Sergio Canales and Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos means CR7 wouldn’t be carrying the team, but rather adding firepower to an already seasoned core.
For Ronaldo, Monterrey represents a new market with passionate supporters and less media glare than Europe or the U.S. Financially, it may not be the most lucrative, but the fit on the field is real. With Club World Cup qualification secured, the club is reportedly open to short-term, high-profile deals that would maximize their presence in the global tournament.
Al Hilal
Remaining in Saudi Arabia is also a possibility. Al Hilal, the country’s most successful club, recently parted ways with Neymar, freeing up budget and ambition for a marquee signing. Reports suggest they view Ronaldo as the ideal replacement.
Al Hilal has already qualified for the Club World Cup, giving Ronaldo a chance to stay in the region while competing at the highest level. The move would mean switching allegiances from Al Nassr, but it could offer a stronger shot at silverware. If he stays in Saudi Arabia, it will likely be in blue.
Sporting CP
For all his global exploits, Ronaldo’s story began in Lisbon. A return to Sporting CP would be sentimental, even poetic. His mother, Dolores Aveiro, once said, “I’ve already told him: ‘Son, before I die, I want to see you return to Sporting’.”
Sporting is not involved in the Club World Cup, making this a choice of the heart rather than the trophy cabinet. But Ronaldo could offer more than nostalgia: mentorship for young players, a lift in the club’s global profile, and a powerful bookend to a legendary career. Though club leadership dismissed the possibility during his Manchester United exit in 2022, circumstances and priorities change. If home matters most, this is the natural destination.
Real Madrid
No club is more synonymous with Ronaldo than Real Madrid. He scored 450 goals in nine seasons, lifting four Champions League trophies and redefining an era. In May, fans gathered outside the club’s training ground with a banner that read, “Florentino, sign CR7,” urging president Florentino Pérez to bring him back. Fueling the rumors, Ronaldo posted cryptically, “This chapter is over,” which many interpreted as a signal of intent.
Spanish outlets have reported that Ronaldo is “eyeing a sensational return” to Madrid. The logic is sound: Real Madrid will play in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup. The reunion would be short-term and ceremonial, but potentially powerful. Still, Madrid’s leadership has pivoted to a youth-centric model. Club insiders describe a return as “highly unlikely”—but that hasn’t stopped the idea from capturing the imagination of Madridistas.
The final chapter
Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t need to prove anything, but the 2025 Club World Cup offers a rare opportunity to sign off on his own terms, on a new stage, against the world’s best. Whether he chooses nostalgia, ambition, or spectacle, his next move will be anything but ordinary.
