As Brazil’s Fluminense gears up for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the club’s leadership has been working behind the scenes to add star power worthy of the global stage. With the tournament heading to the United States this summer, hopes in Rio de Janeiro soared when it emerged that two of the biggest names in world soccer had been quietly approached. But as club president Mario Bittencourt revealed this week, those ambitions met a sobering reality.
Speaking on the Setor Sul podcast, Bittencourt detailed his efforts to make a splash at the upcoming Club World Cup by reaching out to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar—two icons with undeniable ties to Brazilian fans and soccer culture.
“It’s true, I made attempts to bring great players here,” said Bittencourt, whose previous successes include luring stars like Thiago Silva, Marcelo, and Fred to the club. But this time, the challenge was different.
Bittencourt had his sights set on a short-term arrangement that could elevate Fluminense’s global visibility and competitiveness for the tournament. The idea? Tap into the availability—or at least, the contractual limbo—of two legendary players who had yet to finalize the next steps in their careers.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo say?
The 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, currently contracted with Saudi club Al-Nassr until June 30, was the first name on Fluminense’s wishlist. Rumors about Ronaldo potentially leaving Al-Nassr began to swirl as his contract approached expiration, prompting Bittencourt to act.
“I don’t have a close relationship with Jorge Mendes,” he admitted, referring to Ronaldo’s former agent, “but I called him. He was Ronaldo’s agent his whole life, but he’s not anymore. Still, I spoke to him to see if there was any chance of Ronaldo playing in the Club World Cup with us.” Mendes’ response was unequivocal. “He was very clear with me and said that Ronaldo was not interested in playing in Brazilian soccer at the moment,” Bittencourt revealed.
Despite Bittencourt trying to appeal to Ronaldo’s Portuguese heritage—“I told him that Fluminense has the colors of the Portuguese flag”—the answer remained a polite no. No formal offer was made, and the talks never moved beyond the exploratory phase. With a UEFA Nations League semi-final against Germany on the horizon, Ronaldo’s focus remains firmly with the Portuguese national team.
What did Neymar say?
The situation with Neymar, currently at Santos, was more nuanced. Neymar’s contract also runs through June 30, and speculation over his next step has been mounting. Fluminense sensed an opportunity and approached Neymar through their long-time associate Renato Gaúcho, a friend of the player. “Renato spoke to Neymar. He was very kind and elegant and told me to speak with his father,” said Bittencourt.
To maintain professional courtesy, Fluminense first contacted Santos president Marcelo Teixeira to request permission before initiating discussions. “The president of Santos authorized me to speak with Neymar’s father, who was also very kind. He didn’t close the door,” said Bittencourt.
Eventually, the conversation reached the player himself. “On FaceTime, he was very polite. He said he was honored, he was flattered, that it would be a dream to play in the Club World Cup, but that his career plan would be to use this month to get in shape.”
