Al-Hilal are only Saudi club in action at this year’s Club World Cup, securing qualification because they won the 2021 AFC Champions League. Messi will be present at the Club World Cup because he plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, who are owned by David Beckham.

Al-Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, despite being courted by clubs participating in the expanded 32-team tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he's almost certain he will not be playing at the Club World Cup, dealing a blow to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s hopes of having one of soccer’s biggest attractions at the tournament.