Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly interested in joining Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Is the move real or just another rumor? Here’s everything you need to know.
Ronaldo’s Reported Interest in African Club Football
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers in history, may be looking to add another chapter to his legendary career—this time in Africa. According to Spanish newspaper Marca and Saudi outlet Kooora, the 40-year-old Portuguese striker has allegedly approached Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca with a request to join their squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
The report claims that Ronaldo himself initiated contact with Wydad, expressing his desire to:
- Play in a third continent (after Europe and Asia),
- Improve his personal legacy, kèo nhà cái bet88
- Participate in another Club World Cup tournament.
Why Wydad Casablanca?
Wydad Casablanca is a top-tier club in Moroccan football and a former CAF Champions League winner (2021–2022), which secured their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Despite this, the team ranks:
- 387th in global rankings,
- 13th in Africa,
- 3rd in the current Moroccan league standings with no chance of winning the domestic title this season.
The club currently has no European stars and is not financially equipped to attract high-profile players, making Ronaldo’s rumored interest both surprising and headline-worthy.
Club President Denies Transfer Possibility
In response to the rumors, Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna quickly denied the possibility of signing Ronaldo. He stated that while the club respects Ronaldo’s legacy, they do not have the financial capability to meet the demands of such a high-profile transfer.
This comes despite Wydad reportedly being in talks with other veteran stars like Pedro Rodriguez (formerly of Barcelona and Chelsea), who also remains out of reach due to his salary at Lazio.
Why Would Ronaldo Want to Leave Al Nassr?
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2023 after terminating his contract with Manchester United. Since then, he has:
- Won only one title: the Arab Club Champions Cup.
- Missed out on major domestic and continental trophies.
According to Kooora, Ronaldo may be regretting his decision to join Al Nassr. The outlet notes:
“Ronaldo believes that joining Al Ahli would have given him a better shot at the AFC Champions League. As for Al Hilal, a move there is unlikely due to the club’s reluctance to sign a 40-year-old player.”
The Competitive Landscape in Saudi Pro League
Ronaldo’s current club Al Nassr is one of the “big four” clubs in the Saudi Pro League, alongside:
- Al Hilal – won the Saudi League and multiple King Cups since 2023.
- Al Ittihad – two-time Saudi League champions in recent seasons.
- Al Ahli – past winners of the AFC Champions League.
All four clubs are financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), making them extremely competitive in the Middle Eastern football scene.
Can Ronaldo Realistically Play in Africa?
While the idea of Ronaldo playing for an African club is exciting, the reality of such a move remains unlikely:
- Wydad lacks the budget to sign him.
- FIFA Club World Cup participation alone may not be enough incentive.
- The move would be purely symbolic unless backed by sponsorship or special arrangements.
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Still, Ronaldo’s admiration for Morocco—a country he frequently visits and has business interests in—adds a layer of credibility to the speculation.
Conclusion
At this point, the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Wydad Casablanca appears to be more rumor than reality, despite intriguing motives. Whether it’s a genuine career move or a story spun from loose ends, one thing is certain—the football world is still watching Ronaldo’s every step, even at age 40.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 approaches.
