Recent Spanish news website Relevo reports that Inter Miami CF had been hoping to sign Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, pending the non-renewal of his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
The David Beckham co-owned MLS franchise has already garnered international attention with its 2023 signing of Lionel Messi. Ronaldo’s potential transfer would have been a record deal in professional soccer history—pairing the sport’s two biggest names on the same team.
While Inter Miami did not comment publicly on the speculation, sources familiar with the development indicate the team had been tracking Ronaldo’s contract situation and was ready to commence negotiations, should he become a free agent.
But Al Nassr Sporting Director Fernando Hierro has now confirmed that the club is in active discussions to prolong Ronaldo’s contract, which runs out in June 2025. Ronaldo himself created a furore recently when he posted a cryptic social media message saying, “this chapter is over,” though clarification soon followed that the posting was about the end of the present season, not his leaving the club.
It also must be mentioned that any such move to Major League Soccer would involve passing through current league protocols. Sporting Kansas City presently holds Ronaldo’s MLS discovery rights, a procedural hurdle that would necessitate a trade agreement for Inter Miami to officially attempt negotiations.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States adds another dimension. With Inter Miami having qualified, FIFA has approved a special transfer window for the competing clubs. The deal could provide a route for a short-term transfer for Ronaldo, but no formal negotiations have been revealed so far.
Though the prospect of Messi and Ronaldo teaming up at Inter Miami remains unrealized, the developments demonstrate the club’s continued desire to raise its global status and establish MLS as a top option for superstars.
