The announcement was made via the official X account of the Esports World Cup, where they welcomed Ronaldo and stated that he would serve as a spotlight for the next generation of athletes.

The Esports World Cup is set to take place in the summer of this year and will feature a wide range of games, including several fighting titles. Three of the confirmed fighting games include Street Fighter, Tekken, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

As some may recall, Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially added as a playable character in Fatal Fury earlier this year. This move sparked backlash from players who felt that including a real-life celebrity disrupted the game's immersion and authenticity. Interestingly, Ronaldo wasn't the only celebrity to join the roster—Bosnian DJ Salvatore Ganacci was also added.

According to the most recent character usage data from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, both Ronaldo and Ganacci are currently among the least-used characters. This trend may support the concerns raised by fans over the inclusion of real-world figures in the game.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will run from July 8 to August 24, 2025.

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