Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Fatal Fury Roster as Playable Character

They’ve really done it this time. After hinting at a mysterious project with Cristiano Ronaldo last year, SNK has officially revealed that the soccer icon will feature as a playable character—not just a cosmetic add-on or promotional figure—in the eagerly anticipated Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Fans can look forward to diving into the action-packed game when it launches in April.

Ronaldo is no stranger to the spotlight, recognized as one of the greatest—and at times, most controversial—soccer players in history. His career has spanned top-tier clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, along with international stardom playing for Portugal’s national team. While his inclusion in Fatal Fury might seem unexpected at first, it makes more sense considering his recent stint with the Al-Nassr football club in Saudi Arabia. The connection to SNK? The gaming company is owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation.

Over the years, Ronaldo has been entangled in controversy, particularly regarding a rape allegation that emerged in 2017. The German publication Der Spiegel reported a settlement reached in 2009 with a woman who accused Ronaldo of rape in Las Vegas. Allegedly, Ronaldo paid her $375,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Then, in 2018, the accuser filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada against Ronaldo, citing breach of confidentiality by his team after they publicly denied the allegations following the Der Spiegel report. She sought $25 million in damages, but the case was dismissed in 2022. The dismissal was due to “bad-faith conduct” by her attorney, and attempts to appeal the decision were unsuccessful the next year.

Returning to the world of gaming, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marks the first new installment in the pre-King of Fighters series in nearly a quarter-century. In addition to Ronaldo, players can look forward to controlling iconic characters like Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi. The game also features exciting crossover characters from Street Fighter, including Chun-Li and Ken Masters. Gamers on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC can dive into the action starting April 24.