Botagofo boss Renato Pavia has responded to speculation Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading to Brazil in time for the Club World Cup.
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Ronaldo near end of Al-Nassr contractHas received offer ahead of Club World CupBrazilian side react to transfer talkFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Portugal superstar's future at Al-Nassr has become uncertain as he's yet to win a trophy in Saudi Arabia and has seen his side fail to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite. According to Marca, Ronaldo has now received a "major offer" from a Brazilian team which would also include the possibility of playing at the 2025 Club World Cup.
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Botafogo boss Renato Pavia has been quizzed on the possibility of bringing in Ronaldo in time for the competition. His team are one of four Brazilian sides in the tournament and will take their place at the competition in the United States along with Fluminense, Flamengo and Palmeiras. Pavia made it clear he would love Ronaldo in his team but didn't seem too confident that such a deal could take place.
WHAT RENATO PAVIA SAID
He told a press conference: "Christmas is only in December … But if he came, you can't say no to a star like that. I don't know anything. I'm just answering the question. But, as I said, coaches always want the best. Ronaldo, even at his age, is still a goal-scoring machine. In a team that creates chance after chance, he would be good."
He then added Botafogo's American owner John Textor should be asked instead: "That question needs to be asked in another language, not in Portuguese…(laughs). Great players are always welcome, as long as they come to add to the squad, which I am very happy with at the moment."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO
Ronaldo's future is in the spotlight as his contract with Al-Nassr expires at the end of June. The 40-year-old has yet to sign a new deal with the Saudi side, meaning his spell in the Middle East could be heading towards an end.