Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club (Wydad AC) have confirmed that they held early discussions with Cristiano Ronaldo regarding a potential short-term appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Speaking in an interview, club president Hicham Aït-Menna revealed that while the idea was explored, it ultimately did not materialize. “Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t have come for the money – he doesn’t need it,” Aït-Menna stated.
He added, “I don’t know how the rumour spread, but yes, I did reach out to one of his agent friends about three and a half or four months ago, asking: ‘Would he want to play the Club World Cup?’ The response was, ‘Listen, I don’t think so.’”
The Club World Cup, which features continental champions including European and African representatives, would have marked a dramatic return to the global spotlight for the Portuguese superstar at the twilight of his career.
While the talks never advanced beyond a preliminary stage, Wydad’s approach reflects the club’s ambition to boost its profile ahead of one of the world’s most prestigious club tournaments.