Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves as A Playable Fighter

Soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo is officially joining the roster of fighters in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, marking one of the most unexpected crossovers in gaming history.

The globally renowned footballer will appear as a playable character in the upcoming fighting game, bringing a unique soccer-inspired combat style. And yes, players will even get to see his signature celebration move in action.

Ronaldo broke the news himself on his official X (formerly Twitter) account and shared the character reveal trailer. Notably, his in-game character will be voiced by actor Juan Felipe Sierra rather than Ronaldo himself.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is part of the long-running Fatal Fury franchise, which first hit arcades in 1991. The series was created by Takashi Nishiyama, the mastermind behind the original Street Fighter. While Fatal Fury was a massive hit in the 1990s, its last main installment, Mark of the Wolves, came out in 1999. Now, after more than two decades, the franchise is making a comeback, and Ronaldo’s inclusion is adding a whole new level of excitement.

Rumors about Ronaldo’s involvement started swirling last September when he teased a possible collaboration with a cryptic post saying, “A legendary player joins a legendary game.” Those rumors turned now into reality when SNK, the game’s developer, officially confirmed his addition to the roster.

Ronaldo’s fighting style in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a mix of his real-world soccer skills and martial arts-inspired moves. The reveal trailer gives fans a glimpse of his special abilities, including dribbling a soccer ball as a projectile, executing powerful kicks, and using his agility to dodge and counter attacks. His move set includes abilities like Echo Shot, Field Dominator, Rising C Cross, and Deep-Rooted Step. His in-game appearance is strikingly detailed, featuring his iconic red Portugal national team jersey with the number 7.

This crossover is a rare instance of a real-life sports icon being featured in a mainstream 2D fighting game. While guest characters from other franchises are common in fighting games, it’s not every day that an actual athlete becomes a playable fighter.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will also be a featured title at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—an event that aligns perfectly with Ronaldo’s current club career at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Interestingly, SNK is also wholly owned by the MiSK Foundation, founded by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

There are still a few unanswered questions. Will Ronaldo be an official part of the Fatal Fury storyline, or is he just a fun, non-canon guest fighter? Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long for answers—Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is set to launch on April 24, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.