Image Credits: SMK

The collaboration between Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Cristiano Ronaldo, CR7 is causing a buzz in both gaming and sports circles. City of the Wolves is an upcoming fighting game that’s being pieced together by SNK, a Japanese developer with almost fifty years in the business. The game is set to be released on April 24, 2025, and from the teaser we’ve seen today, it seems Ronaldo will star in its pool of playable characters 

The game will only be available in a "Special Edition" format, which includes the base game and the first season pass. Players who pre-order the game will receive an additional costume for Terry based on his appearance in Fatal Fury 2 (1992), along with three days of early access.

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CR7 x Fatal Fury: All possibilities and assumptions 

The character CR7 could be made playable in the game or a guest fighter with a move set of his athleticism. His moveset might incorporate his renowned athleticism, with powerful kicks, agility, and precision—potentially resulting in quick, striking moves that align with Fatal Fury's iconic combat style.

• Storyline Integration: Ronaldo’s character could be woven into the game’s narrative, perhaps as an ally or rival to Fatal Fury mainstays like Terry Bogard. His back story can be retold in the universe of the game to give another dimension of intrigue to Fatal Fury fans.

• Skins and Customizations:  It would be likely that limited, special edition CR7-inspired skins and equipment would be possible for players-from football-inspired wear to taunts or emotes that are similar in fashion to Ronaldo's signature celebrations, for example "Siuuu!!"

• In-game events and rewards: Possibly there would be special in-game events or challenges related to CR7 whereby players would unlock exclusive rewards, cosmetics, or trophies tied to the soccer superstar.

On Twitter, Cristiano Ronaldo teased a short clip showcasing soccer stadiums and flashes of the Fatal Fury branding, along with the tagline:

Now, Ronaldo and SNK seem a mismatch but there's a deep Saudi connection that actually makes the partnership click. SNK is owned by Saudi Arabia's MiSK Foundation; Ronaldo already plays for the Saudi Pro League for AL-Nassr FC. A business rationale to this tie-up can then be a potential thematic fit through this joint Saudi connection, positioned as a partnership rather than some superficial celebrity connection.

This certainly won't be Ronaldo's first stint in the gaming world though. He is a prolific backer of UFL: a free-to-play soccer game being released by Strikerz. It has been received as a competitor to the likes of EA Sports FC and eFootball, and it has had the backing of Ronaldo for several months. However, an athlete of his stature collaborating with fighting games, which is a genre of it's own, may lay the ground work for more exciting soccer collaborations for the community.