In an unprecedented move that blends the worlds of sports and gaming, Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time alongside Lionel Messi, is set to make an appearance as a playable character in the upcoming fighting game, *Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves*. This marks one of the most intriguing guest character appearances in recent memory within the fighting game genre.
Ronaldo will be part of the game's launch roster, bringing his athletic prowess to the streets of South Town. SNK Corporation, the developer and publisher behind the title, has released a trailer showcasing Ronaldo's integration into the game's unique, comic-inspired art style. In the game, Ronaldo utilizes football-inspired attacks, including a command move called Headed Clearance and a slide tackle. Fans will also recognize his iconic 'Siuuu' celebration, though Ronaldo's voice is provided by actor Juan Felipe Sierra rather than the athlete himself.
According to the official character description, Ronaldo is portrayed as:
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.
Currently, the 40-year-old Ronaldo 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 almost entirely owned by the same foundation, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this collaboration.
*Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves* is slated for release on April 24, 2025. The game promises a dynamic art style, a mix of new and familiar fighters, and modernized battle systems, all of which are set to offer an exhilarating experience for both fighting game enthusiasts and football fans alike.
