The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off this weekend, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing out a goalless draw against Egyptian side Al-Ahly. Among the spectators was former Manchester City star Sergio Agüero, who seized the moment to take a playful swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo during an appearance on American streamer IShowSpeed’s livestream.
Agüero, engaging with IShowSpeed—a known Ronaldo superfan—opened the conversation by acknowledging Speed’s admiration for Ronaldo. “You’re a very big fan of Cristiano, no?” Agüero asked. Speed confirmed his fandom but admitted he also hoped to meet Messi. Agüero responded diplomatically, saying, “I respect it, it’s OK. He’s a good player. I prefer Messi, of course.”
The Argentine legend then took a cheeky dig at Ronaldo’s absence from the Club World Cup, joking, “Ronaldo is playing here now at the Club World Cup or no? Maybe he’ll have to watch on TV.” Speed defended Ronaldo, stating, “He’s just not playing at the Club World Cup, he’s going to play at the World Cup though. And he’s going to win the World Cup.” Unfazed, Agüero sarcastically quipped, “He just won the [Euros], no? Ah, the Nations League… congratulations,” poking fun at Ronaldo’s recent Nations League triumph with Portugal.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously fueled speculation about Ronaldo’s potential participation in the Club World Cup, despite Al-Nassr’s failure to qualify. Speaking to IShowSpeed last month, Infantino teased, “Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. There are discussions. Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup, yeah. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup…who knows, who knows.”
Aguero!!! Absolute savage mode 😂 Speed got cooked! 🔥🤣
pic.twitter.com/4RmZC5tRkK— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) June 15, 2025
However, Ronaldo put an end to the rumors, confirming he would not feature in the tournament. “I will not be at the Club World Cup. Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can’t try and do everything. You can’t catch every ball,” Ronaldo stated.
As Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr nears its expiration at the end of the month, speculation about his future continues. Al-Nassr’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro, provided an update last month, saying, “Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until June 30. We will work to renew his contract so he can continue with us, and there are many clubs interested in signing him. We are negotiating with Cristiano Ronaldo to renew his contract. God willing, we will find a solution.” Ronaldo himself hinted at staying put, stating after Portugal’s Nations League victory, “Future? Nothing will change. Al-Nassr? Yes.”
While Messi pursues glory with Inter Miami at the Club World Cup, Agüero’s lighthearted jabs at Ronaldo have added a touch of rivalry-fueled humor to the global stage, keeping the Messi-Ronaldo debate alive among fans.