Recently, coach Marcelo Gallardo of River Plate Club (Argentina) revealed that he approached Ronaldo in mid-March 2025, hoping to convince him to play for the team on loan from Al Nassr.
"Through a common friend, I had a conversation with Ronaldo. I told him that the Club World Cup was coming, and the presence of such a classy player would make a special mark. I want to know if he is interested in this tournament," said Mr. Marcelo Gallardo.
According to FIFA regulations, teams can borrow players from other clubs to participate in the Club World Cup. However, Ronaldo carefully considered and refused, saying he wanted to focus on preparing for the new season.
Previously, many other teams such as Al Hilal, Fluminense or Inter Miami also wanted to invite Ronaldo, but he still decided to stay at Al Nassr.
Last season, CR7 still showed stable performance when scoring 35 goals in 41 matches. At the national team level, he is still a key factor for Portugal, with 137 international goals.
However, Ronaldo - in his 40s - is choosing to slow down, just as he shared: "At this age you can't do everything".
Ronaldo's absence from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 of course made many fans regretful. His presence can bring great appeal both on and off the pitch.
However, at this time, the Portuguese star prioritizes his health and plans to aim for longer-term goals in the final stages of his career.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is the most prestigious club tournament in the world, taking place in the US with the participation of 32 top teams from the continents.
This is the first time the tournament has been held in a new format, similar to the World Cup at the national team level. The gathering of many big names such as Real Madrid, Man City, Flamengo or Al Hilal... Club World Cup 2025 is considered an event marking a historic turning point in the FIFA tournament system.
