In the end, not even the influence of Saudi Arabia or FIFA President Gianni Infantino could bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup.
Infantino made a public push last month, even using an interview with YouTuber iShowSpeed to appeal directly to clubs. "If any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup...," he said, hinting at the possibility of a short-term move.
With Ronaldo’s contract at Saudi club Al-Nassr nearing its end, FIFA opened a special mini transfer window tailored for its newly rebranded tournament—paving the way for a temporary deal that could have allowed the Real Madrid legend to participate.
Given Ronaldo’s strong ties to Saudi Arabia—where he has become a central figure in the kingdom’s bold campaign to attract global football stars—speculation quickly swirled about a possible move to Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s most decorated club and the country’s sole Club World Cup participant.
However, a major roadblock stood in the way: Al Hilal and Al-Nassr are fierce cross-town rivals in Riyadh. Despite both clubs being majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, switching allegiances—even temporarily—was deemed unacceptable.
"While we all respect Ronaldo as a massive player, it goes completely against the logic to sign your biggest rival's top player, even just for three or four weeks," Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada told the BBC.
Still, the mere existence of such rumors speaks volumes about the extent to which Saudi Arabia is willing—and able—to stretch the boundaries of modern sport. The oil-rich kingdom has already disrupted golf with LIV, become a dominant force in boxing, secured its place on the F1 calendar, and attracted top-tier tennis tournaments.
Among all these ventures, its football ambitions stand out the most. Saudi Arabia has secured hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, taken control of Premier League club Newcastle United, and recruited a lineup of football superstars to a domestic league that remains well behind its European and South American counterparts in prestige.
Yet, even with immense resources and FIFA's flexibility, bringing Ronaldo to this year's Club World Cup proved a step too far.
Which is why it is perhaps surprising that Al Hilal arrives at the Club World Cup without the type of global star Saudi Arabian clubs have been collecting since Ronaldo's move opened the floodgates at the end of 2022.
The four-time Asian champion did have Brazil great Neymar - signed for $94 million in 2023 - but he was released in January after an ACL injury reduced him to just seven appearances.
A move was made for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes just before the Club World Cup, but the Portugal midfielder rejected the offer.
There are big money recruits in the form of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves. But perhaps the significant acquisition was Simone Inzaghi, who left Italian giant Inter Milan earlier this month to become arguably the highest profile coach to head to Saudi Arabia.
“My ambition, the ambition of the club, is to try to grow more, to try to make Al Hilal become one of the best football clubs,” he said ahead of his first game in charge - against 15-time European champion Real Madrid at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday. “I believe the time has come to get out of my comfort zone.”
Madrid versus Al Hilal could be seen as a case of soccer's old money versus a seemingly unstoppable disrupter.
Madrid is the biggest powerhouse in the world's most popular sport - its most successful and most storied team. Soccer, however, is witnessing an undoubted powershift and Saudi Arabia is a coming force.
“Sometimes we just focus on what’s going on in Europe, and we think there’s nothing else beyond Europe. We’re too focused on Europe," Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.