Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi together at Inter Miami for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? Fabrizio Romano weighs in on the chances – and fans won’t like it

The soccer world has long been captivated by the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a saga marked by countless records, spectacular goals, and an eternal debate over who is the greatest. In 2025, the rivalry lives on — not on European soil, but across the Atlantic, with Messi dazzling crowds for Inter Miami in MLS, while Ronaldo continues his quest for records with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite leaving Europe’s grandest stages, both legends remain at the center of soccer conversations. Messi’s playmaking brilliance and Ronaldo‘s relentless hunger for goals have fueled ongoing debates, keeping their legendary rivalry alive. But recently, a rumor offered fans something even more electrifying — not a renewal of the rivalry, but the possibility of its transformation.

The idea sounds like something from a fantasy soccer simulation. With Inter Miami qualifying for the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off in the United States this coming June, fans began whispering: What if Ronaldo joins his eternal rival for one last dance?

Reports from several outlets, including talkSPORT, suggested that Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, is exploring the possibility of signing Ronaldo on a short-term deal just for the Club World Cup. With Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr expiring in June 2025, some insiders pointed to FIFA’s special transfer window for the tournament as a route to make the deal feasible.

A temporary reunion between the two greats, aged 38 and 40 respectively by the time of the tournament, would immediately elevate the competition’s status and secure global attention. Beckham’s franchise, with the Argentina already on board, could potentially have the firepower, funds, and appeal to bring Ronaldo across the ocean, if only for a few months. The logic seemed sound. Al-Nassr failed to qualify for the Club World Cup, and Ronaldo, always hungry for trophies, might seize the chance to pursue one last international title.

Fabrizio Romano reveals the truth behind the eternal dream

However, the dream was short-lived. Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano quickly poured cold water on the growing excitement.

In a decisive statement on social media, Romano posted: “Reports on Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi to play together at Inter Miami for FIFA Club World Cup are 100% fake and wide of the mark. No contacts, negotiations, talks or even chances as all parties involved play down these reports from the UK. Leo Messi will regularly play Club World Cup with Inter Miami and Cristiano’s not in talks to join the MLS club.”

It was the confirmation that most fans dreaded. There would be no GOAT partnership. No super-team. No Messi-Ronaldo duo conquering North America.

The transfer guru’s words echoed through social media, dashing hopes that this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle could become reality. Despite the Portuguese veteran’s contract situation, and despite the structural possibility of using FIFA’s special Club World Cup transfer window, no negotiations have taken place. The reunion, for now, is nothing but a fantasy.

Legacy continues… separately

While the prospect of a Ronaldo-Messi link-up at Inter Miami now looks like a fantasy, both legends remain firmly in the spotlight. The Argentine will lead Miami into their first-ever Club World Cup campaign in the summer. CR7, meanwhile, still has unfinished business with Al-Nassr, where he’s chasing personal milestones and aiming for a long-awaited league title.