River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo says he made Cristiano Ronaldo Club World Cup offer
River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo says he made informal contact with Cristiano Ronaldo over representing the Argentine side at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Ronaldo, 40, confirmed earlier in June he would not be at the tournament despite receiving multiple offers.
Gallardo, 49, previously coached Ronaldo when he took charge of a Riyadh All-Stars team for a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. He explained the five-time Ballon d'Or winner considered his proposal to play for River Plate at this summer's tournament but turned it down to focus on next season.
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'In mid-March, informally, through a mutual friend, I told him, 'Hey, I have a Club World Cup coming up, for a player like you, who defined an era… don't you have any intention of playing in it?'' Gallardo told ESPN.
'Not only did he feel recognised, but he evaluated it, thought about it, but then responded, 'I have to prepare for next season'.'
Ronaldo's Al Nassr did not qualify for the Club World Cup, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an interview in May there had been 'discussions' and the Portugal international 'might play' for a team at the tournament. Ronaldo, however, later confirmed he would likely not be there.
'There have been a lot of conversations, but there are certain things that I see as making sense and not making sense,' he said at a news conference ahead of Portugal's Nations League final against Spain,.
'You can't go to everything, you have to think short, medium and long term. I've pretty much made up my mind not to go to the Club World Cup, but I've had plenty of offers.'
Ronaldo did talk about the potential of one day play
Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada also said this month it would have been 'completely counter intuitive' for his club to sign Ronaldo on loan from Riyadh rivals Al Nassr for the Club World Cup.
River Plate beat Urawa Reds in their Club World Cup opener, and play Monterrey and Inter in their remaining group stage fixtures.
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