In a surprising twist that blends the worlds of sports and video games, Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time alongside Lionel Messi, is set to make his debut as a playable fighter in the upcoming game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. This marks one of the most unconventional guest character appearances in fighting game history.
Ronaldo will be part of the game's launch roster, bringing his football prowess to the streets of the game's setting. SNK Corporation, the developer and publisher behind the title, has released a trailer showcasing Ronaldo's integration into the game's comic-inspired art style. The trailer highlights Ronaldo's unique football-based attacks, including a move called "Headed Clearance" and a slide tackle. Fans will also recognize his iconic 'Siuuu' celebration, although Ronaldo's voice is provided by actor Juan Felipe Sierra, rather than the footballer himself.
Here's the official description of Ronaldo's character:
One of the top football players in the world. He uses his time off to visit South Town to hone his new football skills. The various techniques he has developed playing football make him an unstoppable force, even to seasoned fighters.
At 40 years old, Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr FC, a professional football club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, competing in the Saudi Pro League. The club is majority-owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Interestingly, SNK is now nearly entirely owned by the Saudi Crown Prince's foundation, adding another layer of intrigue to Ronaldo's inclusion in the game.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is set to launch on April 24, 2025, promising a dynamic art style, a mix of new and familiar fighters, and modernized battle systems that will surely captivate fans of both fighting games and football.
