Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes a Playable Character in Fatal Fury Video Game

They finally pulled it off. After a year of intriguing hints about a mysterious collaboration with Cristiano Ronaldo, SNK has officially announced something unexpected: the legendary soccer star is not just a new skin or promotional figure, but a fully playable character in the upcoming Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. This highly anticipated fighting game is set to hit shelves in April.

Ronaldo, hailed by fans as one of the greatest—and sometimes most controversial—soccer players in history, has made quite an impact at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, as well as leading the Portuguese national team on the international stage. While his inclusion in a fighting game might raise some eyebrows, it’s likely influenced by his massive popularity and recent stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr since 2023. Meanwhile, SNK has ties to the region as it is owned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation.

However, Ronaldo’s career has not been without controversy. In 2017, a German publication, Der Spiegel, revealed details about a settlement involving an accusation of rape dating back to 2009 in Las Vegas. According to reports, Ronaldo allegedly paid $375,000 to the accuser in return for signing a non-disclosure agreement.

In 2018, the accuser pursued a civil case against Ronaldo in Nevada, accusing his team of breaching the confidentiality agreement by publicly denying the claims after the Der Spiegel report. She sought $25 million in damages, but the case was dismissed in 2022 due to what was deemed “bad-faith conduct” by her attorney. An appeal was subsequently denied the following year.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marks the long-awaited return to the pre-King of Fighters series after nearly a quarter-century. Joining Ronaldo in the roster are fan-favorites like Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi, along with special appearances from Street Fighter legends Chun-Li and Ken Masters. Gamers can look forward to its release on April 24, available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.