‘Can’t say no’ – Cristiano Ronaldo could join Club World Cup team as manager responds to transfer rumours

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received an offer from an unnamed Brazilian club to join them ahead of the Club World Cup.

The footballing icon’s record-breaking contract at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr expires this summer.

Ronaldo's Al Nassr contract ends this summer

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Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract ends this summerCredit: AFP

His most recent season in the Middle East has not been successful, finishing trophyless due to poor domestic performance and being knocked out in the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

Earlier this year, talkSPORT reported that no extension has been agreed between Al Nassr and Ronaldo.

And there is a possibility that the 40-year-old could depart at the end of his deal in a strange scenario.

talkSPORT also understands that Ronaldo could sign a short-term contract at a Club World Cup team before re-signing with Al Nassr.

Now, MARCA reports that he has received an offer from an ‘unnamed Brazilian club’ to join them ahead of the competition.

It is said to be a ‘significant’ and ‘tempting’ approach from what must be one of Botafogo, Fluminense, Flamengo or Palmeiras.

Those four Brazilian sides will be taking part in the FIFA tournament that will include 32 teams for the first time ever.

Botafogo manager Renato Paiva has been asked about these reports, and he didn’t deny that the team was his.

When asked if they could sign him, Paiva hinted: “Christmas only comes in December… but if he joined, you can’t turn down a star like that.

“I don’t know anything. I’m just answering the question. But, as I said, coaches always want the best.

Ronaldo could be set to feature in the Club World Cup

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Ronaldo could be set to feature in the Club World CupCredit: Getty

“Ronaldo, even at his age, is still a goal scoring machine. In a team that creates chance after chance, he would be good.”

Should Ronaldo choose to play for Botafogo, the reigning Brazilian champions and Copa Libertadores titleholders, he would become part of a team placed in Group B for the Club World Cup competition.

That sees the former Real Madrid superstar come up against his old rivals Atletico Madrid, as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Seattle Sounders.

There hasn’t been confirmation that he has been approached by Botafogo though, and it could be one of the others instead.

If it were to be Palmeiras, it would set up a reunion against career rival Lionel Messi should he decide to join.

Palmeiras are in a Club World Cup group with Messi’s Inter Miami, FC Porto and Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes sleeping gesture as he RAGES at Al Nassr teammates after goal

talkSPORT understands that Miami were open to actually making Ronaldo and Messi teammates for the tournament.

However, nothing was advanced and the MLS outfit would have to make some changes to their designated players.

The 2025 Club World Cup begins on June 15 and will run for just less than a month until July 13.

Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams taking part, while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are featuring too.

That means some of the world’s best players will be competing and Ronaldo will surely want to be a part of it.

The winner of the Club World Cup will take home a whopping amount of prize money that is nearly $100m.

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