(foto: Getty Images)
Messi and Ronaldo fans hoped for a dream Club World Cup reunion, but that fantasy fades as both legends continue on separate paths, likely missing their final chance to unite.
The paths of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have crossed on a regular basis, but they have never found themselves on the same road.
The presence of two all-time greats on opposing sides of the fierce Clasico divide once added another layer of intrigue to the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid rivalry.
Domestic, continental and international meetings have been taken in between two iconic figures with 13 Ballons d’Or between them.
Countless records have been broken, as the history books are rewritten, and tales of their unworldly exploits will stand the test of time.
It would, however, have been fun to discover what could be achieved if Messi and Ronaldo played alongside, instead of against, one another.
Special invite
Messi will be heading to the Club World Cup in 2025, with Inter Miami priced at 33/1 in the sports betting markets focused on the pursuit of a global crown in North America.
As things stand, Ronaldo will not be present at that event despite continuing to generate plenty of copy for Paddy Power News and media outlets across the globe with his evergreen exploits for Portugal.
The legendary forward is plying his trade for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, and they have not received the same kind of treatment from FIFA as Messi and Co.
Inter Miami were handed an invite to the expanded tournament in the United States, with the MLS Cup hopefuls boasting enough big names in their squad to generate mass appeal.
They will be in the middle of a domestic campaign when turning attention to Club World Cup matters, but will still be allowed to take advantage of a special transfer window.
Short-term deals can be put in place outside of the standard markets that dictate recruitment business from San Francisco to Sydney. A rather unique situation has, therefore, presented itself.
Ronaldo is expected to agree to an extension to his spell in the Middle East at some stage, but for now his lucrative contract is running down.
He could, in theory, allow that deal to expire, sign month-long terms with a team competing at the Club World Cup, and then return to Riyadh.
The prospect of Inter Miami making a move, uniting a couple of GOATs in the process, has got supporters around the world excited.
Said window of opportunity may, however, have been closed and locked before it ever truly swung open.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has said of the speculation: “There have been no talks. Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of joining Inter Miami. These rumors are completely unfounded.”
Dreams dashed
While many may have assumed as much, they were prepared to dream.
Those dreams have been dashed, with the sight of Messi and Ronaldo pulling on the same jersey and walking out of the tunnel together set to remain a fantasy.
Given the stages of their respective careers that have now been reached, another chance to join forces appears unlikely.
Messi and Ronaldo may not have entered the last chance saloon just yet, but they are once again heading away from it in different directions.