The FIFA Club World Cup for 2025 kicks off on June 14 with fresh rules that might give Cristiano Ronaldo a chance to rejoin Real Madrid. These updates let teams in the tournament strengthen their lineups through an extra transfer window, opening up some exciting options for player shifts.

Additional Transfer Window Introduced

FIFA has opened up an “exceptional registration window”  from June 1 to June 10, 2025. This lets teams playing in the Club World Cup bring in new players just for this event. This move aims to improve team lineups before the competition starts.

 Once the registration period ends, FIFA gives teams the chance to refine their squads during the tournament. From June 27 to July 3, clubs can swap out players whose contracts have run out. But here’s the catch: a player can play for one team throughout the whole tournament. This means they can’t jump from one club to another.

Implications for Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo’s current contract with Al-Nassr will end on June 30, 2025, matching the Club World Cup timeline. Al-Nassr hasn’t made it to the tournament, but Real Madrid has. New rules might open the door to a brief reunion. In theory, Real Madrid could bring Ronaldo on board from June 1 to June 10, giving him the chance to wear the famous white shirt again during the event. 

The thought of Ronaldo coming back to Real Madrid, even for a short time, has got fans buzzing. People on social media are dreaming up scenarios of the star forward’s return and the possibility of reviving his on-field battle with Lionel Messi. Messi’s team, Inter Miami, will also take part in the tournament.

What’s Next?

However, Ronaldo and Real Madrid have not made any formal remarks about the possibility. The rules for the 2025 Club World Cup undoubtedly provide a structure that would make this high-profile reunion possible. The football world will be closely monitoring any developments leading up to the tournament that might see one of its greatest stars return to a previous stage.