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Saudi Arabia Shakes up Soccer Ahead of Club World Cup
ARGENTINA, JUN 20 – River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo contacted Cristiano Ronaldo to strengthen the team for the 2025 Club World Cup, but Ronaldo declined to focus on his upcoming season with Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed earlier in June 2025 that he will not participate in the Club World Cup held in Los Angeles.
Ronaldo declined multiple offers, including one from River Plate's coach Marcelo Gallardo for the Club World Cup, as he chose to prioritize getting ready for the upcoming season.
Gallardo, who managed Ronaldo during a 2023 Riyadh All-Stars friendly, regarded the offer as serious for a time, while Al Hilal's CEO Esteve Calzada dismissed rumors of signing Ronaldo as counterintuitive given club rivalries.
Ronaldo mentioned that while many discussions have taken place, it’s important to prioritize decisions by considering immediate, intermediate, and long-range goals, and he also expressed his fondness for Argentina due to his wife's background.
With Ronaldo skipping the event despite FIFA President Infantino's appeals and a specially created transfer window, the tournament spotlighted Saudi Arabian clubs challenging global elites amid a $1 billion FIFA prize and Saudi Arabia's growing soccer investment.