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As the FIFA Club World Cup nears, speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future has taken center stage. The expanded 32-team tournament, set to begin in June 2025, will see top clubs from around the world battle for supremacy. With Manchester City and Chelsea representing the Premier League. Among the wildest recent rumors: Cristiano Ronaldo could make a sensational short-term move to Stamford Bridge just to feature in the tournament.

Ronaldo to Chelsea for Club World Cup? critics unconvinced

With Chelsea set to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States starting June 14, 2025, rumors have emerged suggesting the club might consider a short-term deal to bring in Ronaldo. The 40-year-old Portuguese icon, currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, would technically be available for a brief stint if an agreement could be made. Chelsea, drawn into Group D alongside Flamengo and ES Tunis, kick off their campaign on June 16 against the winner of Club América vs LAFC. The club is still seeking a reliable No.9, but multiple voices in the football community have cautioned against turning to Ronaldo.Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda told Racing Tipster:“I remember when the owners took over, they were assessing the possibility of signing him. It would be more like a marketing and media coup than anything, really, in terms of sports logic.”“It would be difficult to integrate him into the team, it would put pressure on the manager… it depends if you’re looking at other metrics, or if you want to help the team in the long term, and to keep stability in the squad.”Former England and Tottenham star Chris Waddle echoed similar concerns, calling the move a potential “publicity stunt.”Speaking to yaysweepstakes.com, he said:“Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Chelsea, it would be great publicity for the football club, but no. I’ve seen him play for Al-Nassr… he doesn’t really run around a lot.”“We know he’s got ability when he gets the ball to his feet, but this tournament would be a lot harder than what he’s playing week in, week out in Saudi Arabia.”“Let him rest there and have his holiday. He’ll go again next season. But I think it would be all sort of a publicity stunt.”Waddle emphasized that Ronaldo, who turns 40 next year, may be chasing moments and milestones, but questioned how such a move would benefit Chelsea’s long-term footballing vision.

Background: Ronaldo’s Club World Cup ambitions, Inter Miami links & Al-Hilal denial

The Chelsea rumors follow other speculative stories linking Ronaldo with a brief stint at Inter Miami, where he would have teamed up with Lionel Messi for the first time. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is set to play in the 2025 Club World Cup with Inter Miami, his current team in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. and Canadian league..According to talkSPORT, Ronaldo was open to a short-term deal to the MLS side that would allow him to participate in the Club World Cup before returning to Al-Nassr. However, no official offer has materialized.Goal.com reported that Inter Miami were “open to making the pair teammates,” though nothing had advanced. The club, co-owned by David Beckham, has the financial leeway to potentially land the five-time Ballon d’Or-winning Portuguese icon. More recently, rumors emerged about Ronaldo joining Al-Hilal, another Saudi club and rival of Al-Nassr. But Al-Hilal’s chief executive Esteve Calzada dismissed the speculation outright, telling Goal.com:“That sounds like science fiction. Cristiano Ronaldo is not our player so it’s difficult to comment on that. He’s not a free agent just now, so it’s not nice to talk about that.”

What’s next?

Cristiano Ronaldo remains contracted to Al-Nassr, where he continues to score regularly in the Saudi Pro League. Despite no deal being in motion, his name continues to surface in Club World Cup-related speculation, especially as elite teams finalize their squads.Meanwhile, Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, returns to action Thursday in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgarden, holding a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg. Whether or not a global star like Ronaldo is part of their Club World Cup journey remains to be seen — but footballing veterans are already urging caution.

THEY are Rooney and Ronaldo 2.0 – a decent chip, flick or shot off the old block.

Proving nature is as strong as nurture in football, both Kai Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo Junior have emerged as genuine young footballing talents.

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So might the lads renew the old international rivalry that saw their dads face off in the famous Winkergate World Cup drama?

Their sons have gone some way to prove they’ve got what it takes to reach the pinnacle of football.

On Tuesday Ronaldo Jnr — in the youth team with his father’s Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr — was called up for Portugal’s under-15 squad.

His chuffed dad posted on Instagram: “Proud of you, son!”

Meanwhile, Kai scored the extra-time winner for Manchester United under-15s against Manchester City in a Premier League cup competition last week.

Dad Wayne wrote on social media: “Proud of @kairooney.10. Great comeback from his team last night and an extra-time winner always special. Keep working hard son.”

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It came after Kai recently scored a brilliant solo goal for United’s under-17s against Spain’s Real Sociedad — despite being only 15.

Both of the footie star dads are clearly feeling that swell of emotion that affects parents across Britain as they trek to muddy, windswept pitches to cheer on their offspring.

So will these clearly talented lads emerge from the giant shadows cast by their footie legend fathers?

Fans who sang “there’s only one Cristiano Ronaldo” had to change their tune when the five-time Champions League winner named his first born after himself.

Ronaldo Jnr, 14, is a mini-me lookalike of his old man, complete with rippling six pack.

Born to an American woman in 2010, his former Real Madrid star dad has never confirmed who the mother is.

At the time, he posted on X: “It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy.

“As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.”

‘Worst feeling’

Ronaldo Snr would later add: “Some points in life are private and people have to respect the privacy.

“When Cristiano is going to grow up, I am always going to say the truth to him because he deserves it, because he is my son.”

Soon Junior was embarking on a football career of his own as his father played at some of the biggest clubs in global football.

And, like clever-dick dads across Britain, Ronaldo Snr can’t help but show his son how it’s done.

On his YouTube channel last year he posted a video called Cris v Cris with both trying to curl a free kick around a wall and into the goal with the strapline, “Who did it better?”

CR7, as dad is nicknamed, may perhaps be football’s greatest of all time, but on this occasion his son’s effort looked more classy.

Despite turning 40 in February, Ronaldo Snr recently admitted he would like to play in a professional game alongside his son.

“I would like it,” he said. “It’s not something that keeps me awake at night but we’ll see.”

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Regarding his boy’s footballing career, he said: “He will follow his path, his career. I will be a proud father — I will be proud of what he wants to do.

“If he plays, then ‘top’. If he doesn’t play, we tried. But it won’t be a problem either, in my opinion.”

Known affectionately as Cristianinho — meaning little Cristiano — his son was in the youth team at Italy’s Juventus.

Then, when his dad returned for a second spell at Manchester United in 2021, the youngster joined the Old Trafford youth academy.

Playing alongside him in the under-12s was a skilful lad called Kai Wayne Rooney — born in November 2009.

The pair made headlines when both scored against West Bromwich Albion’s youngsters in 2022.

For United fans it recalled the Red Devils’ golden years when the names Rooney and Ronaldo were often on the score sheet.

Their fathers landed a Champions League and three Premier League titles while both were at the club.

But in 2006, in the midst of their fruitful partnership, Winkergate erupted. Rooney’s England were facing Ronaldo’s Portugal in the World Cup Quarter final in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

On 61 minutes — with the score at 0-0 — Rooney tangled with Ricardo Carvalho before stamping on the then-Chelsea defender.

Ronaldo rushed in to remonstrate with referee Horacio Elizondo.

Rooney shoved his clubmate away but the ref’s mind had been made up and a red card was flourished.

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Ronaldo responded with a theatrical wink to the Portuguese bench.

Rooney was left to stew in the dressing room as the ten-man England side were later knocked out on penalties.

Now 39, the former Everton starlet called it the “worst feeling” he had experienced in football.

The pair patched things up in the tunnel after the game and resumed their prolific United partnership.

Then, with Ronaldo back at United, the relationship soured again.

Rooney, sacked as Plymouth Argyle manager in December 2024, criticised his old team mate’s attitude after CR7 refused to come on as a substitute during a game.

Ronaldo snapped back in a 2022 interview with Piers Morgan: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly . . . probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.

‘He will be a star’

“I’m not going to say I’m looking better than him. Which is true.”

Then Ronaldo expressed surprise at Rooney’s comments after he revealed his old strike partner had visited him to pick up his children.

CR7 added: “We’re here in my house, he picked up his kids here and he invited Cristiano (Junior) to go to his house to play football.

“I really don’t understand people like that. Or if they want to be on a cover of the paper in the news or they want new jobs or whatever.”

So could Ronaldo Jnr and Kai line up one day for a Winkergate rematch for Portugal and the Three Lions senior teams?

Like Junior, the Rooneys’ eldest son certainly has precocious talent.

United fans loved it last month when Kai scored against Real Sociedad. Latching on to a long ball with a deft first touch, he outpaced a defender yanking on his shirt before finishing with his left foot.

One fan wrote on social media: “Plays exactly like his dad, with aggressiveness and power”.

Kai’s mum Coleen, 39, has revealed that there are downsides to having a famous footballer dad.

He told me he was just fuming as the goalkeeper was saying ‘Your dad’s s***’, and he got dead angry.

Wayne Rooney

She said on I’m a Celebrity: “Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff because he used to get swarmed and he couldn’t even watch the game.”

And the mum-of-four revealed opponents had barracked Kai over his footballing icon father.

Speaking to the Stick to Football podcast, Coleen explained: “A few years ago, I remember Kai took a penalty at St George’s Park. He stepped up and just skied it.

“Afterwards I asked him how he could take a penalty like that, and he told me he was just fuming as the goalkeeper was saying ‘Your dad’s sh*t’, and he got dead angry.

“It doesn’t happen to him very often, but it did then, and you can see in some games where they give you a little push.

“He’s strong-minded, though, and usually shrugs it off.”

Last year Kai signed a sponsorship deal with Puma and later appeared on a poster for the footwear brand alongside Dua Lipa and Kyle Walker.

Like Ronaldo Jnr, he will need drive and determination alongside undoubted talent to reach the top.

In truth, both lads could achieve half as much as their dads and still carve out glorious careers.

Just leave the winking and red mist to your fathers.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s girlfriend made her debut at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday evening.

Beauty Georgina Rodriguez, 31, wore a sexy, low-cut black dress with lace on the chest that resembled a negligee meant for the bedroom.

But the gown was actually inspired by a very classy British royal: Princess Diana. 

The long frock was very similar to the slip dress designed by John Galliano that the princess wore to the Met Gala in 1996. 

It was the first and last time the popular royal, who died at age 36 in 1997, attended the high-profile fashion event.

Georgina Rodriguez wore a sexy black dress that resembled a negligee meant for the bedroom. But the dress was actually inspired by Princess Diana. It was similar to the slip dress designed by John Galliano that the princess wore to the Met Gala in 1996

Cristiano Ronaldo accompanied by his partner Georgina in 2023

Vetements creative director Guram Gvasalia cut up 10 different tailored jackets and coats to make the gown.

‘After that we cut those dresses up and merged them into one evening gown, entirely stitched by hand, giving it a real Vetements Couture treatment,’ Gvasalia shared.

‘Archetypal masculine garments were reworked into a sensual personalized silhouette,’ added the designer.

She was meant to look like a princess. 

‘I wanted to give Georgina that Princess moment,’ he added. 

‘She is today’s People’s Princess and the Queen of People’s Hearts. Not every dress needs to be a fairytale story, but this one is.’

Rodríguez also wore a large diamond Chopard necklace inspired by Diana’s choice of jewelry in the 1990s.

Rodríguez said the Met Gala was a ‘magical night.’

‘Thank you always to God, to my family and to my team for accompanying me in every dream,’ she wrote in Spanish on Instagram.

The stunner seen leaving The Mark Hotel alone. Rodríguez also wore a large diamond Chopard necklace inspired by Diana’s choice of jewelry in the 1990s

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Heads of State VE Remembrance Service in Hyde Park on May 7, 1995 in London

In the Hulu documentary In Vogue: The 90s, it was revealed by Galliano that the Princess took out the corset from the original design.

He was surprised.

‘I just remember her getting out of the car,’ Galliano said. ‘I couldn’t believe it. She’d ripped the corset out.

‘She didn’t want to wear the corset,’ he said. ‘She felt so liberated. She’d torn the corset out. The dress was much more… sensuous.’

Last year Ronaldo said that he and his teenage son can go days without speaking because of their competitive natures.

The Portuguese soccer legend – who is dad to Cristiano Jr., 14, and seven-year-old twins Eva and Matteo via a surrogate, and Alana, six, and Bella, two, with partner Georgina – is proud that his kids are every bit as passionate and emotional as he is, and he won’t hold back against them when they are playing games together.

Diana wore a similar gown to the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Gala Ball In New York in 1995

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, he said: ‘I was in the Red Sea a couple of days ago, I play every day padel. Me and Cristiano Jr get mad, we don’t speak for like two days.

‘This is why I’m happy, even the small one Matteo [gets competitive], I like it. It shows they have personality.

‘Seriously, my kids, they are like me. I don’t teach them but they see by example because sometimes when I lose I get angry, sometimes I cry, depends on the moment.

‘They are kind of the same, so even with my kids I compete, I always want to win. I don’t give nothing for free.’

Cristiano currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr and his eldest son is with their youth team, with the youngster having previously turned out for both Juventus and Manchester United’s academies while his dad was in the senior squads.

However, the 39-year-old striker isn’t putting too much pressure on the teenager to succeed.

He said: ‘This generation, it is difficult to tell them something and let them do it.

‘They will always see their daddy as an example, they see me every day in what I do, at home, in training, or in a game. They see me work a lot.

‘Right in this moment, Cristiano want to be a football player but I don’t make big pressure, I make a little.

‘He’s 14 years old, he has pressure already to be the son of Cristiano [senior]. Let him do his own mistakes, but I hope that in the future he can be a professional player.

‘If he doesn’t become a player, maybe another job, but I will always support him. We cannot put pressure on our sons because we are famous.’

Georgina Rodríguez’s Met Gala debut was as regal as could be.

The 31-year-old model, who’s been dating soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo since 2017, made a splash at fashion’s biggest night in a look that was inspired by the late Princess Diana.

On Instagram, Vetements creative director Guram Gvasalia shared that he crafted Rodríguez’s sexy dress — which featured a train, thigh-high slit and lace — was a nod to the John Galliano slip dress Diana wore to her first and only time at the event in December 1996.

Gvasalia explained that he adhered to the “Tailored for You” dress code by reworking 10 different tailored jackets and coats into neglige dresses. “After that we cut those dresses up and merged them into one evening gown, entirely stitched by hand, giving it a real Vetements Couture treatment. Archetypal masculine garments were reworked into a sensual personalized silhouette.”

“I wanted to give Georgina that Princess moment,” he added of styling Rodríguez for the big night. “She is today’s People’s Princess and the Queen of People’s Hearts. Not every dress needs to be a fairytale story, but this one is.”

Rodríguez also wore a large diamond Chopard necklace inspired by Diana’s choice of jewelry (a giant sapphire necklace) in the ’90s.

Following her red carpet appearance, Rodríguez shared behind-the-scenes photos taken of her “magical night.”

“Thank you always to God, to my family and to my team for accompanying me in every dream,” she wrote in Spanish on Instagram.

Princess Diana’s moment at the Met Gala was iconic in a multitude of ways.

For one, the sexy design of her chosen look was described as a “revenge dress” by Eloise Moran, who wrote The Lady Di Look Book: What Diana Was Trying to Tell Us Through Her Clothes, in an interview with Yahoo in 2021. (Diana had finalized her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996.)

In the Hulu documentary In Vogue: The 90s, it was revealed by Galliano that the Princess of Wales had also removed the corset from the original design, unbeknownst to him.

“Fast-forward to the event, and I just remember her getting out of the car,” Galliano said — and gasped. “I couldn’t believe it. She’d ripped the corset out.”

“She didn’t want to wear the corset,” he said of the impromptu alteration. “She felt so liberated. She’d torn the corset out. The dress was much more… sensuous.”

• Premier League stars had no idea who the legend is from the childhood photo 
• One star has even played alongside him and still had no inkling about it 
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Are Arsenal even close to achieving big things? 

By LUKE POWER

Published: 12:01 EDT, 8 May 2025 | Updated: 17:11 EDT, 8 May 2025

A photo of a Premier League legend has left modern stars stumped. 

Players from across the division were asked to identify the icon from the following photo. 

But stars including Manchester City‘s Ruben Dias, Southampton‘s Aaron Ramsdale, and Chelsea‘s Marc Cucurella had no clue who it was.

One of the current players who took part in the task even knows the legend personally but was unable to discern who it is. 

So, can you fare any better? 

The picture is of a young boy in an all-blue outfit wearing tiny sandals, appearing to be in some sort of garden or greenhouse. 

Can YOU work out who this Premier League legend is? Current stars struggled – even those who know him personally!

Struggling?

If you need a clue, he used to play for Manchester United and is still playing somewhere in the world.

He won three Premier League titles and even the Champions League, so that should narrow it right down. 

Still no idea?

The answer is… Cristiano Ronaldo!

That’s right, it turns out that Ronaldo was, once, a curly-haired child and not a 6’2″ superhuman athlete. 

Don’t worry if that has left you shocked – the likes of Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, and Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne weren’t able to work it out either.

Incorrect guesses such as Rio Ferdinand, Jude Bellingham, and Kalvin Phillips were put forward before somebody stumbled across the right answer.

The player is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, albeit with a different physique and haircut!

Everton’s Dwight McNeil managed to surmise that it was Ronaldo, much to the surprise of his peers. 

‘You’re joking,’ said Dias, who plays with Ronaldo for Portugal.

‘What!’ said Murphy. 

‘That’s an amazing picture,’ said Kluivert. ‘That’s a little legend already there.’

Chelsea have been told why a stunning deal for Cristiano Ronaldo, that would see him grace the Club World Cup, makes no sense.