In a recent shocking statement, Cristiano Ronaldo has criticised FIFA after the organisation announced Inter Miami’s participation in the 2025 Club World Cup. The Portuguese superstar did not hesitate to express his displeasure, claiming that FIFA is exploiting Lionel Messi’s fame to boost the value of the tournament.

Ronaldo, who is known for his fierce rivalry with Messi throughout his career, expressed his disappointment that FIFA is only trying to exploit Messi’s name to draw attention to the new format of the Club World Cup. He asserted: “It is clear that FIFA is only trying to use Messi’s name to attract attention to the tournament, not for sporting reasons.” This shows that Ronaldo is emphasizing that the decision is more commercial than sporting.

FIFA’s decision to include Inter Miami in the tournament has caused controversy. The team has not met the usual criteria to participate. Although Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield, the award only reflects their performance during the MLS season and does not guarantee them the championship. This has led many to question the fairness of the selection process, as 30 of the other 32 teams have qualified based on their international performance.

Ronaldo went on to criticize that decisions like this only undermine the value and integrity of the tournament. “Messi is a great player, no one can deny that,” he stressed. “But decisions like this undermine the legitimacy of the tournament.” It was a strong message from Ronaldo, who has always upheld the value of sportsmanship and wants tournaments to be conducted fairly.

The debate over whether FIFA should allow Inter Miami to participate in the 2025 Club World Cup is stirring up controversy in the football community. Some support Messi’s participation because of his talent and influence, while others, like Ronaldo, question FIFA’s motives. The rivalry between these two football icons continues to fascinate and debate fans.

Ronaldo’s statement not only reflects the rivalry between him and Messi, but also opens up a deep discussion about the commercial nature of modern football. As sports organizations increasingly focus on profit, fans and players need to think carefully about how these decisions affect the fairness and value of the sport they love. The 2025 Club World Cup promises to be an exciting, but also controversial event, as commercial factors increasingly overshadow sporting values.