On Saturday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that Inter Miami would be a part of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — becoming its 31st team in the process. This meant that Messi will get to shine on the global stage again, and the immediate question was: is there going to be a Messi vs Ronaldo?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, could not qualify for this global spectacle set to be held in the US in 2025.
This takes the hopes for a competitive fixture between the two greats away; who knows, for the last time.
🚨🌎 OFFICIAL: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced that Inter Miami are qualified to Clubs’ World Cup 2025!
Leo Messi and his team will be there. ✨ pic.twitter.com/o2gGOBo552
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2024
Ronaldo plays in the AFC confederation which gets four slots, and they all went to winners of the last three renditions of the AFC Champions League and Ulsan FC, for being one of Asia’s historic best.
For Ronaldo—someone who loves the big stages—this would be a huge blow, as he would’ve relished rubbing shoulders with some of the best teams in the world, and show everyone what they’ve all been doubting since he moved to Saudi Arabia — that he still has it.
From the fans’ perspective, another chance of a Messi vs Ronaldo game goes abegging.
Inter Miami was entrant number 31, but there will be 32 teams which means there is a spot open. But is for Ronaldo? Nope. The last slot will go to a CONMEBOL team — winner of the 2024 Cope Libertadores rather.
Here is a complete list of the 31 teams that have qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and how they have booked their tickets:
UEFA:
- Chelsea – 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League Winners
- Real Madrid – 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League Winners
- Manchester City – 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League Winners
- Bayern Munich – UEFA four-year ranking
- Paris Saint Germain – UEFA four-year ranking
- Inter Milan – UEFA four-year ranking
- FC Porto – UEFA four-year ranking
- Benfica – UEFA four-year ranking
- Juventus – UEFA four-year ranking
- Atletico Madrid – UEFA four-year ranking
- Borussia Dortmund – UEFA four-year ranking
- RB Salzburg – UEFA four-year ranking
AFC:
- Al Hilal – 2021 AFC Champions League Winners
- Urawa Red Diamonds – 2022 AFC Champions League Winners
- Al Ain – 2023/24 AFC Champions League Winners
- Ulsan HD – AFC four-year ranking
CONMEBOL:
- Plameiras- 2021 Copa Libertadores Winners
- Flamengo- 2022 Copa Libertadores Winners
- Fluminese- 2023 Copa Libertadores Winners
- River Plate- CONMEBOL 4-year ranking or 2024 Copa Libertadores Winners
- Boca Juniors- CONMEBOL 4-year ranking
Note– There are four teams remaining in the Copa Libertadores for 2024. They are River Plate, Penarol, Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo.
CONCAF:
- Monterrey- 2021 CONCAF Champions League Winners
- Seattle Sounders – 2022 CONCAF Champions League Winners
- Leon – 2023 CONCAF Champions League Winners
- Pachuca – 2024 CONCAF Champions Cup Winners
- Inter Miami – Host team & 2024 MLS Supporters Shield Winners
OFC:
- Auckland City FC- Best OFC Champions League winners in OFC 4-year ranking
