 |
|
October 1, 2025
Football fans associate the names Ronaldo and Rooney with an era of dominance. Together at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, they were the fearsome strike duo that terrified Premier League defenders and secured three consecutive league titles and a Champions League trophy.
Now, almost two decades later, a new idea is capturing headlines and the attention of fans, not on the pitch, but in the ring. Could we really see Ronaldo and Rooney settle their rivalry through boxing?
The suggestion of a boxing match didn’t come from a gossip column or social media post. It came from Malik Scott, former trainer of heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Scott told CanadaCasino, “Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Wayne Rooney would bring more eyes to boxing, and I am all for it. Any time boxing gets more attention, it’s a good thing. I want people to enjoy the spectacle, not just critique it. Just enjoy the carnival. It would be a global event because these are high-level names that would draw huge numbers.”
His words stirred fans across the world and reignited memories of the sport’s most notable relationships. They had an electric partnership at Old Trafford and infamously clashed at the 2006 World Cup. Ronaldo and Rooney’s careers have been intertwined for decades.
Celebrity boxing is enjoying a golden age, for example, Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul, and the possibility of a Ronaldo vs. Rooney match feels less like a football fan’s dream and more like an event that will break streaming records. For those interested in making a fight night or football game more thrilling, checking out football betting tips today could add a whole new dimension to any face-off.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Friendship with Rooney
Ronaldo and Rooney have played over 200 matches together for Manchester United. They formed one of the most feared attacking partnerships in Europe. However, many fans remember the moment during the World Cup quarter-final in 2006, when Rooney was sent off for a stamp and cameras caught Ronaldo’s wink to the bench. For years, this small moment was considered a turning point that created bad blood between the players.
Rooney recently shut down such rumours when appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, when he said, “People think that I hate him [Ronaldo]. I love him. I think he is an absolute genius, and what he’s doing is incredible. I don’t think people realise actually how close me and him were.”
This admission fanned the flames of speculation among those wanting to see a boxing match, believing such a fight wouldn’t be about a grudge, but instead celebrate two football icons.
Celebrity boxing has seen a massive resurgence thanks to events like KSI vs. Tommy Fury and Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz. It draws large audiences that traditional boxing can’t manage to capture. A Ronaldo vs. Rooney showdown will take interest in boxing to a whole new level.
Malik Scott argues that the spectacle is as important as the sport itself. He wants people to enjoy the global event for entertainment, and not to be critical of the boxers themselves. Ronaldo is still playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and Rooney is a retired player and pundit, making it the perfect moment for two legends to meet in the ring and give fans a final unforgettable moment.
Ronaldo is dedicated to fitness. At 40, he remains one of the most physically impressive football players, maintaining a strict diet and conditioning routine that keeps him in peak shape. His speed, power, and discipline will likely translate well into training for a boxing match.
Rooney has long been open about his love of boxing. His shadowboxing goal celebration in 2015 and appearances at fight nights show that he is familiar with the sport. He was even recently called out by former goalie Paddy Kenny for a charity bout. This has encouraged fans to believe that Rooney is willing to step into the ring sooner rather than later.
The commercial potential of such a fight is big. Promoters would see record pay-per-view sales, streaming platforms would pay millions for broadcasting rights, and sponsors would pour money into what might be one of the most-watched sporting crossovers of the decade. Beyond the figures, the event would symbolise a bigger moment: a nostalgic reunion of two players who defined an era for ManU and English football.
Just think about their walkouts. Ronaldo is known to be a showman and will enter with his familiar swagger. Rooney, a working-class hero, will be ready to throw down. Fans from across the world will tune in to witness history, but also to see who lands the knockout punch.
For now, it seems unlikely that Malik’s dream of a Ronaldo vs. Rooney fight will happen, especially since Ronaldo is still under contract with Al-Nassr and can’t risk injury. For now, it remains a “what-iff”, but should the stars align and the players glove up, it will mark a significant cultural moment in football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on October 1, against Al Zawraa, for the the Champions League Two. You can watch Al Zawraa vs Al Nassr, USG vs Newcastle, Barcelona vs PSG, AS Monaco vs Manchester City, Arsenal vs Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Bilbao, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Zawraa vs Al Nassr kick-off time (01-10-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 02:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 23:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 19:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / espn.com / bbc.com / metro.co.uk
