Ever ambitious Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a goal machine and fans favorite in Turin after joining Juventus for €100 million (US$112.5m) in 2018, is eager to play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup finals.
The expanded Club World Cup competition, which comprises 32 teams, takes place in the United States from mid-June.
Superstar Ronaldo, who has adapted to Saudi life after joining Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2022, will miss out on the prestigious tournament with his team so is seeking alternative routes to compete.
Only one spot is reserved for a Saudi Pro League side, and Al-Nassr missed out after failing to win the AFC Champions League or the domestic league title last season.
There was a slim chance that Ronaldo would return to Juventus. The extremely high cost to lure Ronaldo for a short stint with the Bianconeri interests Paolo Ardoino, the latest shareholder in Juve, with shirt sales at the club and the possibility of earning lucrative prize money helping to finance his return.
Tudor tweak worked
Juventus interim manager Igor Tudor, who switched things around and upped the ante to soar past out-of-form Udinese on Sunday, will be in charge of the Turin titans for the Club World Cup. His no nonsense approach could potentially see a clash with the big character of Ronaldo.
The Bianconeri kick off their Club World Cup campaign against UAE side Al-Ain, followed by a meeting with Morocco's Wydad, with their final Group G fixture against Manchester City who they beat in the Champions League last year.
An undisclosed Brazilian club has swooped for Ronaldo, who appears not to mind too much which team he turns out for at the Club World Cup, as long as there’s a chance of lifting the coveted trophy.
Four Brazilian Serie A sides will be competing at the tournament, namely Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Palmeiras.
Brazilians draw fans
Botafogo have been drawn in Group B and face a stiff task to finish in the top two to progress. Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders FC are their opponents.
Flamengo have a much easier draw in Group D, and will tackle Chelsea, Mexican outfit Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunisie.
Fluminense will fancy their chances of progressing out of Group F, having been drawn against Borussia Dortmund, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and South Korean club Ulsan HD.
With Palmeiras given the most mouthwatering set of opponents. In Group A they will face FC Porto, Egyptian team Al-Ahly and cash-rich Inter Miami that features a plethora of stars including Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid, a side where Ronaldo became their all-time top scorer and won his fifth Ballon d’Or, have a realistic chance of winning the Club World Cup so he could reach out to his ex-club.
The dilemma for 40-year-old Ronaldo is whether he will be coaxed by an offer from Brazil in order to participate in what must surely be his final Club World Cup finals.