Pui-Kwan Kay, the head of the Hong Kong Football Association, revealed in an interview with the South China Morning Post that the city’s senior executives intend to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in January 2025.

Following their defeat against Inter Miami, when world champion Lionel Messi was forced to miss out due to injury, the Hong Kong FA now intends to appoint Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s fiercest opponent, to the team.

“If Al Nassr is going to play exhibition matches in some cities, the expensive fees could be split. I don’t know if Al Nassr will return to China, but [bringing Ronaldo to Hong Kong] is a good idea because he is one of the most popular players,” Kwan-Kay said.

“The HKFA could just take the lead [alongside other parties], or be the organisers, but it’s just too early to say. As of now, we’re only at the stage of consideration and discussion,” he added.

Additionally, he stated that the intention is to include clubs from the Portuguese First Division or Eastern European teams. 

He did not elaborate on his plans for CR7, but he did state unequivocally that inviting Inter Miami back is not one of them.