Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have spent two decades as career adversaries but recent reports have suggested they could soon become clubmates.
Ronaldo, who is still plying his trade with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has been touted with a stunning move to join Messi at Inter Miami in the United States ahead of this summer's revamped FIFA Club World Cup.
The rumours seem scarcely believable considering the longstanding rivalry between the duo who have dominated world football during the 21st century, but, as we have seen regularly in the modern game, money trumps logic.
But is there any truth to links between Ronaldo and Inter Miami?
Wil Cristiano Ronaldo join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami?
Despite speculation over an extraordinary union between Ronaldo and Messi, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the former will not be joining Inter Miami this summer on a short-term contract for the Club World Cup.
Writing on social media, the Italian revealed: "Reports of Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi to play together at Inter Miami for Club World Cup on short-term deal are wide of mark. There's absolutely nothing into those stories."
Ronaldo will be out of contract with Al Nassr come the end of June and would be available to sign for another club on a free transfer at that point - although the Club World Cup actually begins two weeks before the expiration of his Saudi deal.
However, it's hardly surprising to see reports - which suggested he could sign a short-term deal with a Club World Cup team before re-signing for Al Nassr - of a move to David Beckham's MLS franchise debunked.
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
It's expected that Ronaldo will sign a fresh contract with Al Nassr before his current deal expires, with the 40-year-old still evidently some way from retiring. The Portugal international will certainly keep playing until the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the very least.
Currently on 3.85m per week with Al Nassr, it remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will receive a pay rise when penning new terms, or how long his deal will last.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined the Saudi Pro League midway through the 2022/23 season and has gone on to score 92 times in 103 matches with Al Nassr.
Who do Inter Miami play at FIFA Club World Cup?
Inter Miami have been shoe-horned into the Club World Cup as competition 'hosts' and will play at least three matches during the group stage. Given the quality of some of their Group A opponents, it appears unlikely they will make it to the knockout rounds.
Messi and Co. begin their campaign in the opening match of the tournament on 14 June when they face Al Ahly. The Egyptian giants qualified having won three of the last four CAF Champions League titles.
Porto are next up for the Herons several days later after they qualified based on UEFA ranking and the Americans finish their group stage campaign against 2021 Copa Libertadores winners and Brazilian titans Palmeiras.
READ THE LATEST 2025 CLUB WORLD CUP NEWS AND HOW IT WORKS HERE
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