The Corinthians boss has revealed the Brazilian club made Cristiano Ronaldo an offer that would have seen him earn the same salary as Man United… but the Portuguese star chose to join Al-Nassr because their offer was ’20 TIMES HIGHER’
- Cristiano Ronaldo says he has received many offers from around the world
- Corinthians chief Duilio Monteiro Alves revealed that his club tried to sign Ronaldo
- He said that Corinthians are ready to pay Ronaldo his salary at Man United
- However, Al-Nassr offered Ronaldo 20 times more money than their proposal
- Ronaldo has agreed to join Al-Nassr, and is now set to earn £175m-a-year
Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves has confirmed that the Brazilian club tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Al-Nassr – before the Saudi club, who were willing to pay him 20 times their offer, caught their eye.
Ronaldo became a free agent in late November after terminating his contract with Manchester United following an interview with Piers Morgan.
After weeks of speculation over his future, the Portuguese star has finally signed for Saudi club Al-Nassr in a deal that will see him earn £175m-a-year.
Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves revealed that they tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has opted to join Saudi club Al-Nassr, and is set to earn £175m-a-year after the club offered him 20 times what Corinthians could afford
That wasn’t the only offer on the table, however, with Alves revealing Corinthians made a bid for Ronaldo – but claiming Al-Nassr ultimately beat these offers thanks to their spending power .
‘We made an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo,’ he said. ‘A salary equal to what he earned at United, a two-year deal with the help of sponsors,’ Alves told Bandeirantes’ Donos da Bola.
‘I know he also has a proposal from Europe. But the proposal from Saudi Arabia is 20 times higher.
Ronaldo was announced as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday but is yet to make his debut for the club
‘I talked to Jorge Mendes six, seven times and, in the end, we sent a proposal through someone else.’
Ronaldo has reportedly parted ways with his long-term agent Mendes after a disagreement over his interview with Morgan, which could provide another indication why Corinthians have no joy in tempting the forward to Brazil.
Alves joked that he was glad Ronaldo didn’t accept because of the financial stress it would put on his club, but felt he had to try to sign the global superstar.
‘I made the proposal and even though I hoped it wouldn’t be accepted (laughs). Just kidding, we’ve already warned many partners. I think we have to try,’ said Alves.
Ronaldo watched his new team’s 2-0 win over Al-Ta’ee with his personal manager Ricardo Regufe, who brokered the deal that brought the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to Al-Nasr
‘Renato Augusto, Willian thought it was funny and, well, it worked in the end. In leading the Corinthians, we must seek the best in the world.’
Ronaldo, who was spotted training with his new side, insisted at his Al-Nassr press conference ahead of his official unveiling on Tuesday that he had received offers from around the world before opting to move to Saudi Arabia, and Alves’ comments suggest he is telling the truth.
Ronaldo said: ‘No one knows this, but I had many opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia, the US, and even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. I give my word to this club. I want to give a different perspective on this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity.’
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had hoped to make his debut for Al-Nassr on Friday, but was forced to watch his new team-mates beat Al-Ta’ee 2-0 from the stands while he serves both. -game ban after smashing a fan’s phone following United’s defeat to Everton in April.
