Cristiano Ronaldo has recently confirmed that he will stay at Al Nassr amid speculation that he may sign a short-term deal to play in the FIFA World Cup.
The Club World Cup won’t involve Manchester United, but it kicks off on Sunday and will feature players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
There will be 63 matches held over a month, from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with 32 teams from all over the world participating. The 32 teams are divided into groups of four, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the Round of 16.
Instead of taking part in the Club World Cup in the United States, United took part in a brief post-season tour of Asia and they will begin preparations for the 2025/26 season next month.
It will be Ruben Amorim’s first pre-season since becoming United’s head coach in November.
United fans will hope that pre-season is a success to set the team up for a positive campaign in the Premier League after finishing 15th in the table last term.
Alex Telles lining up for Botafogo
Photo by Daniel Castelo Branco/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Alex Telles encouraged Cristiano Ronaldo to sign for Botafogo
Former United left-back Alex Telles is currently playing for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A side Botafogo, which means he will be taking part in the Club World Cup.
The 32-year-old made 50 appearances for United and left the club in 2023.
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After a loan spell at Sevilla, Telles departed Old Trafford for Al-Nassr, where he formed a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The rumour mill accelerated when FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced there was a possibility that Ronaldo could join a club playing in the Club World Cup.
“Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup, there are discussions,” Infantino said in an interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed, as quoted by The Athletic. “There are discussions with some clubs, so if any clubs is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.”
Telles took it upon himself to try to convince Ronaldo to join him at Botafogo ahead of the Club World Cup, but the six-time Ballon d’Or winner stressed that the time wasn’t right and he looks set to remain in Saudi Arabia.
“I wanted to know if it was real, but he said that, up until then, he had nothing and that it wasn’t the right time to come,” Telles told YouTube channel Cazé TV, as quoted by Mais Futebol.
“I asked him to come here [Botafogo]. I even said ‘come and be happy at Fogao’, but he said it wasn’t the right time. Everyone knows that’s best for them.”
Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr is set to expire this month, although it looks like new terms will be agreed in due course.
Never forget 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo's first season back at Man United:
⚽ 18 Premier League goals – 3rd top scorer
🏆 2 PL Player of the Month awards
🎩 2 hat-tricks – most in the PL
🎯 Goals vs Spurs, Chelsea & Arsenal
🌟 6 goals in 7 Champions League games pic.twitter.com/KwSTAThwfm
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 12, 2025
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Channel 5 announces Kleberson as Club World Cup pundit
Channel 5 has confirmed their pundits for the upcoming Club World Cup, with one former United player set to feature as part of their analysis.
It has been announced that 23 of the 63 matches will be on Channel 5 after teaming up with American broadcaster DAZN for the coverage rights.
Channel 5’s punditry team will include top former professionals, including former United midfielder Kleberson.
The World Cup winner will be joined on Channel 5 by John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Christian Vieri, Mamadou Sakho and more.