Ronaldo will watch on TV - Aguero throws subtle jab at CR7 for missing Club World Cup

Former Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero has taken a playful, yet pointed, jab at Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

The Argentine's remarks came during a live stream with popular social media personality IShowSpeed, a self-proclaimed superfan of the Portuguese superstar.

Despite the expanded 32-team tournament getting underway on Saturday, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is not featuring.

His club, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, failed to secure a spot in the competition, having fallen short in the four-year qualification cycle established by FIFA.

There was brief speculation that Ronaldo might still participate, with even FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting earlier this month that the veteran forward could potentially join a participating team.

However, Ronaldo ultimately opted to remain with Al-Nassr, the club he has captained since his high-profile departure from Manchester United in 2022.

Agüero, a close friend and former international teammate of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's long-standing rival clearly did not miss the opportunity to comment on Ronaldo's absence.

The wildly popular IShowSpeed, known for his fervent admiration for Ronaldo, asked Agüero to facilitate a meeting between him and Lionel Messi.

"You're a very big fan of Cristiano, no?" Agüero asked. After Speed responded affirmatively but reiterated his desire to meet Messi, Agüero continued with a sly grin, "I respect it, it's OK. He's a good player. I prefer Messi, of course."

He then sarcastically queried Speed about why his favourite player wasn't participating in the Club World Cup.

"Ronaldo is playing here now at the Club World Cup or no?" Agüero quipped, adding, "Maybe he'll have to watch on TV."

When Speed insisted that Ronaldo would lead Portugal to victory at next summer's World Cup, Agüero delivered another dismissive comment, making a seemingly sarcastic reference to Portugal's recent UEFA Nations League triumph.

"[Ronaldo] just won the [Euros] no?" He asked, then corrected himself: "Ah the Nations League... congratulations."

Agüero has previously found himself in controversial situations for comments made during live streams.

Last year, a clip widely circulated online showed him making an inappropriate reference to Class A drugs during an appearance with American streamer Adin Ross.