Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – The Most Unexpected Fighting Game Cameo of 2025

From the Pitch to the Arena: Ronaldo Enters Fatal Fury

In a surprise trailer reveal, SNK introduced a new fighter who looks a lot like Cristiano Ronaldo — and while the resemblance might not be perfect, the inspiration is clear. This mysterious new brawler uses a glowing blue soccer ball as a weapon, launching powerful kicks to pressure opponents and disrupt combos.

The character will be available when Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves launches on April 24, 2025, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

Why Cristiano Ronaldo?

The connection isn’t random. Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr FC, a Saudi football club largely funded by the country’s royal investment fund. That same fund also owns a majority stake (96%) in SNK, the developer behind Fatal Fury.

While SNK insists that its creative freedom remains untouched, this partnership seems like a strategic move — part marketing, part “sportswashing” effort to improve Saudi Arabia’s global image through entertainment and sports.

Whether you see it as smart promotion or awkward branding, it certainly has the internet talking.

How He Plays: Ronaldo’s Combat Style

Though not officially named “Cristiano Ronaldo” in-game, the character clearly mimics his real-world persona:

• Kick-Based Moveset – Expect fast footwork and flashy finishing-style specials.

• Unique Ball Mechanics – He uses a glowing energy ball for pressure, mix-ups, and ranged pokes.

• Stamina and Style – His movement is athletic, almost showboating, reflecting his on-field confidence.

Will he be competitive in ranked play? That remains to be seen — but he’s sure to be a fan-favorite meme pick.

Community Reactions: Confused but Curious

Reactions to the reveal have ranged from amused to shocked. Some fans are calling it the “weirdest crossover since Darth Vader in SoulCalibur”, while others criticize it as a tone-deaf addition to a game with such rich arcade history.

But like it or not, Cristiano Ronaldo is now part of Fatal Fury. And let’s be honest — everyone’s at least a little curious to try him out (or beat him up).

About Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

SNK is reviving the long-dormant Fatal Fury franchise with a brand-new entry that features:

• A comic book-inspired visual style

• Fresh offensive combat systems

• Fan-favorite characters like Terry Bogard and Rock Howard

• Cross-platform play and rollback netcode for smooth online matches

The game is shaping up to be a love letter to old-school fighters with modern flair — and now, a headline-grabbing celebrity cameo to top it off.

What Do You Think?

Is Cristiano Ronaldo a fun addition or a strange distraction from what makes Fatal Fury special?
Would you main him or rather knock him out with Terry?

Screenshot: SNK OFFICIAL (YouTube)