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Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025

As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Riyadh's Boulevard City
As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Riyadh's Boulevard City
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Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025

As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Riyadh's Boulevard City
As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Riyadh's Boulevard City

The Esports World Cup Foundation announced the appointment of international football star and Al-Nassr FC captain Cristiano Ronaldo as a global ambassador for the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), to be held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, in a move that reinforces Saudi Arabia's position and leadership in this vital and promising sector.

Ronaldo's appointment marks a significant milestone for the EWC, the largest event in the history of gaming and esports, serving as a global platform that brings together talent and celebrates a culture of innovation and excellence. This landmark collaboration underscores the growing influence of this sector, which now attracts millions of players and fans worldwide.

As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC's international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Riyadh's Boulevard City. He will also appear as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of 25 major tournaments featured in this year's Esports World Cup. Leveraging his global fan base of over one billion social media followers, Ronaldo is expected to help attract new audiences and introduce them to some of the most prominent professional players in the gaming and esports world.

Ronaldo explained that sports are constantly evolving, stating that esports represent the future of the global sports and entertainment sectors. He noted that the passion, talent, and determination he sees in esports players are similar to those in his own football journey. He added that he is delighted to stand alongside these competitors and participate in a global event that inspires the next generation.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is one of the most influential athletes in the world. His presence extends beyond the stadium, bridging cultures and connecting millions of fans worldwide with a new generation of esports players.

The EWC features a multi-game, multi-platform format, offering clubs and players the opportunity to showcase their skills across diverse competitions.

This year's edition is expected to attract more than 2,000 professional gamers and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games, with total prize money exceeding $70 million. This reaffirms the Kingdom's leadership in hosting major global events and strengthens its position at the forefront of the gaming and esports sector.

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Portugal’s Fernandes Hopes to Win World Cup to Crown Ronaldo’s Career

Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 semi-finals match between Al-Nassr and Al Ahli Doha in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 April 2026. (EPA)
Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 semi-finals match between Al-Nassr and Al Ahli Doha in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 April 2026. (EPA)
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Portugal’s Fernandes Hopes to Win World Cup to Crown Ronaldo’s Career

Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 semi-finals match between Al-Nassr and Al Ahli Doha in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 April 2026. (EPA)
Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026 semi-finals match between Al-Nassr and Al Ahli Doha in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 April 2026. (EPA)

Portugal midfielder Bruno ‌Fernandes expressed hope that he and his teammates can help crown Cristiano Ronaldo's international career by winning the 2026 World Cup.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to appear in a record sixth World Cup in June, a tournament expected to be the final major chapter of the forward's career.

"Wrapping up ‌all this ‌last World Cup with ‌Cristiano (Ronaldo) ⁠winning it would ⁠be something amazing," Fernandes told Wayne Rooney in a BBC report published on Friday.

"I really hope we can make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave ⁠to football and the world," ‌the Portuguese midfielder ‌and Manchester United captain said.

Ronaldo, considered one ‌of the greatest players ever to ‌have not won a World Cup, is the record scorer in international football with 143 goals.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was ‌part of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning team and has lifted the ⁠Nations ⁠League twice.

Portugal's opening Group K game is on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by Uzbekistan on June 23, with both games in Houston. They play Colombia on June 27 in Miami in their final group game.

The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Sports

Defending Champion Alcaraz to Miss French Open with Wrist Injury

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
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Defending Champion Alcaraz to Miss French Open with Wrist Injury

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)

Two-time reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said on Friday he will not play at this year's tournament as he recovers from a wrist injury.

"We have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros," Alcaraz said on social media.

"It's a complicated moment for me, but I'm sure we'll come out stronger from this," the Spaniard added, saying that he and his team would monitor his recovery before deciding when and where he would return.

Alcaraz sustained the injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open last week, where he beat Otto Virtanen but subsequently pulled out of the tournament.

The 22-year-old announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Masters on April 17, increasing concerns over whether he would be able to appear at the French Open.

Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam in January with his triumph at the Australian Open. He holds a 22-3 record this season and also won a title in Doha.

Ranked second in the world, Alcaraz lost top spot following his defeat by Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 12.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner, an expert on clay, triumphed at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025. He saved three championship points against Sinner in last year's final.

Sports

Formula 1 Returns to Türkiye from 2027 on 5-year Contract

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
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Formula 1 Returns to Türkiye from 2027 on 5-year Contract

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo

The Turkish Grand Prix is back on the Formula 1 calendar next season for the first time since 2021, on a five-year agreement.

After an initial announcement Friday by the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, there was confirmation from F1 and its governing body.

Erdogan said the deal would be for “at least five years”.

The Istanbul Park circuit outside the city first hosted F1 from 2005 through 2011, and next year's race would be the first since Türkiye returned to the calendar in 2020 and 2021 during disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Valtteri Bottas won the most recent race for Mercedes.

“Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at Istanbul Park and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership, giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location,” Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.

Hosting F1 would “demonstrate to the world that our country is the safe haven of its region,” Erdogan said.

The news comes after the Iran war caused widespread disruption to sports in the region and forced F1 to call off races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled for this month.

That left a large gap in this year’s schedule. The Miami Grand Prix next week will be the first F1 race since the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.

F1’s return to Istanbul had been widely expected since Domenicali said in February that it was a candidate to return.

He added venues like Istanbul Park and the Portimão circuit, which will host the returning Portuguese Grand Prix next year, show F1 is not focusing too much on street races in glamorous locations.

Those can be some of F1's most lucrative events, like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but are generally less popular with drivers than purpose-built race tracks.

“Türkiye is not 100% confirmed. Stay tuned on Türkiye, let me put it this way,” Domenicali said at the time. “This is also to answer to the people that were saying there were too many street races. The new ones that are coming are tracks, not street races.”

The return of Türkiye and Portugal next year will come as the Dutch Grand Prix, four-time champion Max Verstappen's home race, leaves the schedule after six years. The Belgian Grand Prix and the second Spanish race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host in alternate years from 2027, freeing up another slot.

F1 estimated Friday it has 19 million fans in Türkiye, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the race's return “a powerful reflection of the continued global growth and appeal of our sport.”

The Istanbul Park track was generally popular with drivers and its long, high-speed turn eight was often ranked as one of the most challenging corners in the world.

Felipe Massa is the most successful driver at the Turkish Grand Prix with three wins in a row for Ferrari from 2006 through 2008, while Lewis Hamilton has won the race twice.