River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has disclosed that the club made several attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before the start of the 2025 Club World Cup.
Recall that Gallardo previously coached Ronaldo when he took charge of a Riyadh All-Stars team for a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
Speaking with ESPN, Gallardo explained that 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, I said to him informally through a mutual friend: ‘Hey, I have a Club World Cup team for a player like you, who has shaped an entire era. Do you have any intentions of playing in the tournament?’
“He not only felt recognised – he also considered it, but then replied: ‘I have to prepare for next season.’
“I was lucky enough to meet him at a meeting in Saudi Arabia, which I was invited to. I met not only a professional guy, but also a good person. We formed a friendship.”
