Corinthians chief reveals the Brazilian club DID make an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo

Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves has confirmed that the Brazilian club did try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Al-Nassr – before they were gazumped by the Saudi club, who were willing to pay him 20 times their offer.

Ronaldo became a free agent in late November after his Manchester United contract was terminated following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

After weeks of speculation about his future, the Portuguese star eventually signed for Saudi club Al-Nassr in a deal that will see him earn £175m-a-year. 

Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves has revealed they tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo chose to join Saudi club Al-Nassr, and is set to earn £175m-a-year after the club offered him 20 times what Corinthians could afford

That was not the only offer on the table, though, with Alves revealing that Corinthians made a bid for Ronaldo – but claimed that Al-Nassr ultimately trumped these offers thanks to their spending power. 

‘We made an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo,’ he said. ‘A salary equal to what he earned at United, two-year deal with the help of sponsors,’ Alves told Bandeirantes’ Donos da Bola.

‘I know he also had proposals from Europe. But the proposal from Saudi Arabia was 20 times higher.

Ronaldo was unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday but is yet to make his debut for the club

‘I spoke six, seven times with Jorge Mendes and, in the end, we sent a proposal through another person.’

Ronaldo reportedly split from his long-term agent Mendes after a disagreement over his interview with Morgan, which could give another indication as to why Corinthians had no joy in tempting the forward to Brazil.

Alves has joked that he was glad Ronaldo didn’t accept due to the financial strain it would have put on his club, but feels he had to make an attempt to sign the global superstar.

‘I made the proposal and even hoped not to accept it (laughs). Just kidding, we had many partners already warned. I think we have to try,’ Alves said.

Ronaldo watched his new side’s 2-0 win over Al-Ta’ee with his personal manager Ricardo Regufe, who negotiated the deal that took the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to Al-Nassr

‘Renato Augusto, Willian thought it was funny and, well, it worked out in the end. Presiding over Corinthians, we have to look for the best in the world.’

Ronaldo, who has already been seen training with his new side, insisted at his Al-Nassr press conference before his official unveiling on Tuesday that he had received offers from across the world before choosing to move to Saudi Arabia, and Alves’ comments suggest that he was telling the truth.

Ronaldo said:  ‘Nobody knows this, but I had many opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia, the US, and even Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. I gave my word to this club. I want to give a different vision of this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity.’

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had been hoping to make his debut for Al-Nassr on Friday, but was forced to watch his new team-mates beat Al-Ta’ee 2-0 from the stands as he serves a two-game ban after smashing a fan’s phone after United’s loss at Everton in April.