FIFA’s CR7 fantasy fails despite Saudi’s Club World Cup bold gamble

Riyad

Not even Saudi Arabia’s vast riches or Gianni Infantino’s coaxing could engineer a Cristiano Ronaldo cameo at the Club World Cup. Still, the oil-rich kingdom’s ambition is stamped all over the tournament – and the game itself. FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the pitch himself. In an interview with YouTuber iShowSpeed last month, he dangled a tantalizing prospect: If any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup The bait was clear. The path was open. Ronaldo's contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr was due to expire, and FIFA’s decision to create a specially made mini transfer window for its newest competition meant the path was clear for the Real Madrid great to sign a short-term deal with a new team just in time to take part. Given his connection to Saudi Arabia, where he became the face of the kingdom's high-profile push to sign some of football's biggest stars in recent years, rumors swirled about a move to Al Hilal, the country’s most successful team and sole representative at the Club World Cup. The problem: Al Hilal and Al-Nassr are cross-city rivals in Riyadh. And even if Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund holds a majority stake in both clubs, along with others, that was a step too far. As much as I respect Ronaldo as a huge player, as we all recognize he is, it’s certainly completely counterintuitive that you bring the biggest player of your biggest opponent to play with you, Al Hilal Chief Executive Esteve Calzada told the BBC. Even more when it’s only for three to four weeks. Maybe so, but Saudi Arabia, with its vast wealth, has made a habit of turning the improbable into the possible. And the very fact the prospect of a short-term move between clubs was even rumored points to the boundaries it has pushed in its effort to become a global sports force. After all, it has already changed the face of golf and virtually cornered the market for big-time boxing.