<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>’s potential involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 became one of the tournament’s hottest storylines ahead of kickoff, but the Portuguese legend ultimately chose to remain with Al Nassr. Now, in the middle of the competition, a coach from one of South America’s top clubs has revealed that Ronaldo seriously considered joining them for the tournament.



Several teams from Mexico and Brazil reportedly explored the possibility of landing Ronaldo, but it was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/river-plate/">River Plate</a> who came closest to pulling off the sensational move. Speaking to ESPN, River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo addressed the rumors and offered a candid explanation.



“I was lucky to coach him in a match I was invited to in Saudi Arabia, and I found not only a great professional but also a very good person. We’ve stayed in touch over these past few months. It was in mid-March, informally, through a mutual friend, I said to him: ‘Hey, I’ve got a Club World Cup coming up, and for a player like you, who marked an era… wouldn’t you be interested in playing it?’” the coach said.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/marcelo-gallardo/">Gallardo</a> admitted that the offer wasn’t immediately dismissed, and for a moment, the idea gained traction: “Not only did he feel recognized, but he actually considered it, he thought about it, and then said: ‘I have to prepare for the upcoming season.’ It was something informal, but if it had worked out, it would have worked out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250621_WST_576007_marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-1200x675_0cbf9dcb.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-576055" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/20230019/marcelo-gallardo-river-plate.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



“Look how it turned out — he himself made it public; otherwise, it never would’ve been known. He didn’t even mention the club, he just said ‘I got an offer,&apos;” he concluded. Though speculation surfaced at the end of May, Gallardo revealed he had already broached the idea back in March, though Ronaldo ultimately stayed put and skipped the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/club-world-cup/">Club World Cup</a>.


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The prior encounter between Gallardo and Ronaldo took place in 2023, when the Riyadh All-Stars XI faced off against Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain. Gallardo managed the Saudi side while Ronaldo led the attack — a meeting that laid the foundation for what nearly became a stunning transfer.



<h2>What did Ronaldo say at the time?</h2>



Ahead of the Club World Cup in early June, Ronaldo was participating in the UEFA Nations League Final. During the pre-match press conference in June 7th, he was asked directly about the rumors of a possible move to Argentina. For the first time, the Portuguese star acknowledged the discussions:



“You know that I have a lot of affection for Argentina. My wife is Argentine, so how could I not have a special affection? I’ve been with my wife for 9 years, I love her, you know, and I have a very special fondness. I’ve already received invitations to play in the Club World Cup from Argentina, you know that… You never know.”



He also left the door slightly open to any unexpected developments in his career. “Time is passing, I’m already 40 years old, but I always say: I can never say ‘I’ll never drink from this water.’ I don’t know if that’s how you say it in Spanish. But I see it as very unlikely. I really like Argentina. I’ve never been to Argentina, but I want to go, I have a lot of affection for Argentinians,” he concluded.

South American giant’s coach reveals Cristiano Ronaldo considered joining them for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

South American giant’s coach reveals Cristiano Ronaldo considered joining them for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 - World Soccer Talk

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Marcelo Gallardo has reportedly agreed to become the next manager of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> side Al-Ittihad. The Middle Eastern club previously sacked Nuno Espirito Santo earlier in the month after a poor run of form. Al-Ittihad sat sixth in the standings when they fired the former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/wolves-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Wolves</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> manager.



Gallardo is set to now get the chance to right the ship at the club. The Argentine, however, will have a wait a bit to guide his new team on the pitch. Much like Europe, the Saudi top flight is also currently on an international break. Al-Ittihad does not play again for over a week.



TyC Sports is reporting that Gallardo has accepted Al-Ittihad’s offer and will soon travel to Saudi Arabia to make the deal official. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirms the upcoming move. The Argentine coach is set to sign a one-and-a-half-year deal with his new club. There is also an option to extend Gallardo’s stay in Saudi Arabia by another 18 months as well. 



<h2>Argentine coach brings impressive record to Middle East</h2>



Gallardo previously featured as an attacking midfielder during his playing career. He initially starred for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/river-plate-tv-schedule/">River Plate</a> and French side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/monaco-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Monaco</a> before making moves to other clubs around the world. One of these stops included a one-year deal with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> team <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/dc-united-tv-schedule/">D.C. United</a> in 2008.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231115_WST_470219_Benzema-Saudi-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-470319" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Benzema-Saudi-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Benzema-Saudi-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Benzema-Saudi-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Benzema-Saudi.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>After a hugely successful run with River Plate, Gallardo will oversee the talents at Al-Ittihad, including Karim Benzema. </figcaption></figure>



After retiring from the pitch, Gallardo quickly transitioned into coaching. He was hired by Uruguayan side Nacional as head coach just days after retiring as a player. The new manager led the team to the title in his first season at the helm.



Despite leaving Nacional after just one year, famed Argentine club River Plate appointed Gallardo in 2014. The young coach was a resounding success at his old outfit. Gallardo collected a host of trophies during his eight years with the club. River Plate won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/superliga-argentina-tv-schedule/">Argentine Primera Division</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-libertadores-tv-schedule/">Copa Libertadores</a>, Copa Argentina, Supercopa Argentina, and Copa Sudamericana titles during Gallardo’s reign as manager.



<h2>Gallardo makes Saudi Pro League move despite preference for European job</h2>



Gallardo <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/marcelo-gallardo-set-to-take-over-al-ittihad-20231115-BUS-85488.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> wanted to make a move to Europe after departing River Plate in late 2022. The coach even supposedly rejected opportunities in MLS, Brazil, and Mexico. Nevertheless, the right chance did not come for the manager. Instead, Gallardo will now join some high-profile players in the Middle East.



Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho all joined the Saudi side earlier this summer. The two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a> internationals were the first stars to agree contracts with Al-Ittihad in early July. Fabinho then united with the Frenchman a few weeks later in a $50 million move from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>. Portuguese playmaker Jota and former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-betis-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Real Betis</a> defender Luiz Felipe also signed on with the club as well.



Despite bringing in a plethora of new stars, Al-Ittihad has struggled a bit so far this season. After winning their first four league matches of the campaign, the club then only collected two victories in their next eight games. This was when team brass decided to fire Nuno Espirito Santo.



Gallardo will likely be at the helm for their next game later next week. Al-Ittihad next faces Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, Nov. 23.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Marcelo Gallardo joins Benzema and Kante in Saudi Pro League

Former River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo has reportedly agreed to become the next head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

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