Reports of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami dismissed

Reports suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo could play alongside Lionel Messi for Inter Miami at this summer’s Club World Cup have been dismissed.

Earlier this week, rumours circulated that Ronaldo might join Miami on a short-term deal when his contract with the Saudi Pro League club expires at the end of the season.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has refuted these claims, stating that there is “nothing” to the reports and that the possibility of a Ronaldo-Messi partnership is “wide of the mark.”

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Ronaldo is in the final months of his Al-Nassr contract, but it is expected that he will extend his stay in the Middle East rather than linking up with his long-time rival Messi at Miami.

Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, the 40-year-old has scored an impressive 86 goals and provided 19 assists in just 97 appearances.

Meanwhile, Messi has netted 38 goals and delivered 20 assists in 44 games for Inter Miami since making the switch from Paris Saint-Germain.

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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have not shared the pitch since January 2023, when they faced off in an exhibition match between Paris Saint-Germain and a Riyadh All-Star XI featuring Ronaldo.

The two legends have met 36 times throughout their illustrious careers, with Messi holding the edge with 16 victories to Ronaldo’s 11, while nine encounters have ended in draws.

FIFA Club World Cup Set to Take Place In June

Now, the FIFA Club World Cup could set the stage for yet another chapter in their storied rivalry.

The tournament will take place across the United States, with matches played in 12 different cities and stadiums. A total of 32 teams will compete, divided into eight groups of four.

The tournament will feature four teams each from Africa, Asia, and North & Central America, totaling 12 sides. South America will contribute six teams, while Oceania will have one representative.

The host nation, the USA, will also have one team in the competition. Europe will have the largest contingent, with 12 teams participating.

A staggering £775million in prize money will be distributed among the competing teams, with the champions set to take home £96.9million.

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