Even FIFA and Saudi Arabia cannot bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup!

Gilabola.com – In the end, even the combined power between FIFA and Saudi Arabia was unable to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup. The hard efforts of FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, did not produce results.

Infantino and transfer gap for Ronaldo

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, had openly signaled the possibility of Ronaldo’s presence through his statement in an interview with YouTuber Ishowspeed. He said, “If there is a club that wants to recruit Ronaldo for the Club World Cup …,” opens a great opportunity for the superstar.

Incidentally, Ronaldo’s contract with al-Nassr will end, and FIFA opens a special mini transfer window for this competition. This scenario had raised rumors that Ronaldo could have joined Al Hilal in the short term.

However, herein lies the problem.

The rivalry of the city is a barrier

Al-Nassr and Al Hilal are city rivals in Riyadh. Although both are owned by the wealth of Saudi Arabia’s wealth, the step to lend the largest icon from one club to the main rival is considered as an unreasonable thing.

“Although I really respect Ronaldo as a big player, it doesn’t make sense to bring the biggest player from your biggest rivals just to play for three or four weeks,” Al Hilal CEO, Esteve Calzada, told the BBC.

However, Saudi Arabia has a reputation to reverse things impossible to become a reality thanks to an extraordinarily large wealth.

Unstoppable Saudi Arabia ambitions

Saudi Arabia has changed the face of golf, a major force in the boxing world, making F1 a routine event, and seducing the world of top tennis. However, their biggest ambitions remain in the world of football.

Saudi Arabia successfully hosted the 2034 World Cup, bought Newcastle United, and flooded their pro-league with big stars since Ronaldo opened the way at the end of 2022.

However, strangely, Al Hilal came to the Club World Cup without global superstar. Neymar had indeed joined the fantastic transfer value of $ 94 million in 2023, but he was released in January because of an ACL injury which limits his appearance only seven times.

Al Hilal also tried to recruit Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, but the offer was rejected.

Currently they rely on names like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Kouulibaly, and Ruben Neves. However, the most high -profession recruits actually come from the coach side: Simone Inzaghi.

The former Inter Milan coach is now leading Al Hilal and immediately carries a tough task against Real Madrid, European giants with 15 Champions League titles, at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.

“My ambition and the club are to continue to grow and make Al Hilal one of the best clubs in the world,” Inzaghi said. “I think it’s time to get out of my comfort zone.”

Old power battle vs. new forces

The match between Real Madrid and Al Hilal can be seen as a battle between “old money” versus disruptive migrants that cannot be stopped. Madrid remains a symbol of the glory of European football, but Saudi Arabia is shifting global power slowly but surely.

“Sometimes we are too focused on Europe and think that nothing is greater outside Europe,” said Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.