Latest Manchester United news and gossip as Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly responds to a transfer offer ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has turned down the chance to complete a transfer that would see him compete at the FIFA Club World Cup, it has been claimed.
Ronaldo’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few weeks. The former United star is currently enjoying his time in the Saudi Pro League Al Nassr, although there have been rumours that he could leave to pursue a new challenge in the country or move elsewhere.
There have also been reports that Brazilian club Fluminense had expressed an interest in signing Ronaldo this summer. Fluminense will be joining the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at this summer’s Club World Cup
Mario Bittencourt, president of Fluminense, has revealed that he reached out to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes about bringing the former United star to Brazil ahead of this summer’s tournament in the United States, reports the Mirror. Bittencourt confirmed, though, that Ronaldo rejected the possibility of a move to Fluminense.
“I have a relationship with Jorge,” Bittencourt said. “Not a very close one but, if I call him, he answers.
“I asked him if there was any chance of Cristiano playing in the Club World Cup. He was very clear in telling me that he’s not interested in playing in Brazil for now.”
If Ronaldo was to join Fluminense it would see him go head-to-head with long-time rival Lionel Messi, who will be competing in the tournament with Inter Miami. FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently suggested that there were discussions to try and ensure Ronaldo would feature in the Club World Cup.
During a recent interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed, the FIFA president said: “Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. There are discussions.
“Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup, yeah. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.”
