Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 became one of the tournament’s hottest storylines ahead of kickoff, but the Portuguese legend ultimately chose to remain with Al Nassr. Now, in the middle of the competition, a coach from one of South America’s top clubs has revealed that Ronaldo seriously considered joining them for the tournament.
Several teams from Mexico and Brazil reportedly explored the possibility of landing Ronaldo, but it was River Plate who came closest to pulling off the sensational move. Speaking to ESPN, River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo addressed the rumors and offered a candid explanation.
“I was lucky to coach him in a match I was invited to in Saudi Arabia, and I found not only a great professional but also a very good person. We’ve stayed in touch over these past few months. It was in mid-March, informally, through a mutual friend, I said to him: ‘Hey, I’ve got a Club World Cup coming up, and for a player like you, who marked an era… wouldn’t you be interested in playing it?’” the coach said.
Gallardo admitted that the offer wasn’t immediately dismissed, and for a moment, the idea gained traction: “Not only did he feel recognized, but he actually considered it, he thought about it, and then said: ‘I have to prepare for the upcoming season.’ It was something informal, but if it had worked out, it would have worked out.
“Look how it turned out — he himself made it public; otherwise, it never would’ve been known. He didn’t even mention the club, he just said ‘I got an offer,’” he concluded. Though speculation surfaced at the end of May, Gallardo revealed he had already broached the idea back in March, though Ronaldo ultimately stayed put and skipped the Club World Cup.
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The prior encounter between Gallardo and Ronaldo took place in 2023, when the Riyadh All-Stars XI faced off against Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain. Gallardo managed the Saudi side while Ronaldo led the attack — a meeting that laid the foundation for what nearly became a stunning transfer.
What did Ronaldo say at the time?
Ahead of the Club World Cup in early June, Ronaldo was participating in the UEFA Nations League Final. During the pre-match press conference in June 7th, he was asked directly about the rumors of a possible move to Argentina. For the first time, the Portuguese star acknowledged the discussions:
“You know that I have a lot of affection for Argentina. My wife is Argentine, so how could I not have a special affection? I’ve been with my wife for 9 years, I love her, you know, and I have a very special fondness. I’ve already received invitations to play in the Club World Cup from Argentina, you know that… You never know.”
He also left the door slightly open to any unexpected developments in his career. “Time is passing, I’m already 40 years old, but I always say: I can never say ‘I’ll never drink from this water.’ I don’t know if that’s how you say it in Spanish. But I see it as very unlikely. I really like Argentina. I’ve never been to Argentina, but I want to go, I have a lot of affection for Argentinians,” he concluded.
