Saudi giants Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Caldaza has rubbished claims that the club will look to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for a showdown with Lionel Messi in the summer. Reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal are set to participate in the inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the summer of 2025.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 teams, comprised of continental champions and consistent performers, compete in the USA. Al-Hilal are one of Asia’s representatives, having won the AFC Champions League at the expense of Pohang Steelers in 2021. They have been drawn against Real Madrid, FC Salzburg, and Pachuca in Group H of the competition.
Caldaza spoke about rumours linking his side with Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the competition. He referred to such claims as ‘science fiction’ and declined to comment on the 39-year-old, who remains under contract at Al Nassr.
He told GiveMeSport (via Fabrizio Romano):
“That sounds like science fiction. CR7 is not our player so it’s difficult to comment on that. He’s not a free agent now, it’s not nice to talk about that.”
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team have already qualified for the tournament in the USA. Several other big names, including the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Neymar, Aleksandr Mitrovic, and Thiago Silva among others will likely feature in the competition.
Manchester United star names Lionel Messi as his idol, picks him over Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has chosen Lionel Messi as his footballing idol ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in an interview with Sky Sports. The 22-year-old winger revealed he has always been a huge Messi fan as he is also left-footed.
“Messi has always been my idol because he is left-footed like me. I want to do some things like Messi. I like Messi, how he plays,” Diallo said.
Diallo was also asked to choose between players based on several criteria, and the final two ended up as Lionel Messi and Ronaldo. When asked to pick, the youngster apologized before going with the Inter Miami man.
Amad Diallo was Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate at Old Trafford between 2021 and 2022 but never shared the pitch with the Portuguese great. The Manchester United attacker has been impressive this season, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.
