Here’s something unexpected: footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, currently playing for Al Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, is stepping onto a very different kind of pitch—one where punches and kicks replace goals and assists, all without the risk of fouls or red cards. Of all things, the 40-year-old footballer has been announced to appear as a playable fighter in the upcoming fighting game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves by SNK.
Yes, you read that correctly. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be throwing down with the likes of Andy Bogard and Chun-Li, because why not?
According to the character blurb shared by the game’s developer, SNK, Ronaldo is visiting South Town (the game’s key location) to hone his football skills, which apparently now involve launching footballs like projectiles and executing slide tackles with the kind of force that would get him sent off in any real-life match. He even has a command move called Headed Clearance, a nod to his famous aerial ability, and performs his iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration mid-fight.
SNK unveiled Christiano Ronaldo’s gameplay in a new trailer, showcasing his reimagined look in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ distinctive comic-inspired art style. However, it should be noted that the footballer himself isn’t lending his voice for his virtual self. Voice actor Juan Felipe Sierra steps in to deliver the lines instead for the non-Japanese version of the game.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of watching Ronaldo take on martial arts legends in an over-the-top fighting game, your oddly specific wish is about to come true. Interestingly, SNK is almost entirely owned by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince’s foundation, making the footballer’s inclusion feel less like a random celebrity cameo and more like a very deliberate move.
Whether he’ll be an overpowered menace or just a novelty pick, only time will tell. Speaking of which, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marks the franchise’s first new entry in nearly 25 years and brings back classic characters such as Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi.
It also features crossover fighters from Street Fighter, including Chun-Li and Ken Masters. The game is set to launch on 24 April 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
(Source: Fata Fury: City of the Wolves [official website])
