Thembinkosi Lorch & Cassius Mailula's Wydad AC confirm Cristiano Ronaldo contact talks for Fifa Club World Cup - 'We would have liked to have him'

The Moroccan giants have also revealed the extent they went to in their pursuit to have the Portuguese superstar play for them.

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WHAT HAPPENED?
Wydad Casablanca President Hicham Ait-Menna has confirmed that he made an approach to Cristiano Ronaldo over a possible deal ahead of the Fifa Club World Cup campaign.
Ait-Mena said he reached out to one of Ronaldo's agents' friends, who confirmed that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar will not be available for Wydad.
Although the Wydad top official enquired about Ronaldo's availability, he says he was fully aware that it would be a tall order for the Moroccan giants given their financial strength.

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WHAT AIT-MENA SAID
“Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t have come for the money because he doesn’t need it,” Ait-Menna said, as per Africa Soccer.
“It’s true that I contacted one of his agent friends three and a half or four months ago, saying, ‘Wouldn’t he want to play in the Club World Cup?’ He replied, ‘Listen, I don’t think so,'" he added.
“There were never any real negotiations for this player. We would have liked to have him, but financially we wouldn’t have been able to pay the price he’s worth."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Recently, the Portuguese star triggered a wave of speculation when he wrote a cryptic message on his social media accounts suggesting he was on the verge of leaving Al-Nassr.
The message, "This chapter is over," sent shockwaves around the soccer world as it alluded that Ronaldo was now considering his options away from the Saudi Arabian outfit.
Ronaldo has been persistently linked with the clubs that will take part in the Club World Cup campaign. For now, eyes are keen to see whether he will stay at Al-Nassr or indeed he will open a new career chapter with another club.

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Wydad AC
WHAT NEXT FOR WYDAD AC?
Lorch and Mailula are set for the Club World Cup campaign with the Moroccan giants, who are in Group G with Al Ain, Juventus, and Manchester City.
Wydad will start their duties with a game against Pep Guardiola's City on June 18 before facing Juventus on June 22. Their final group game will be against the UAE's Al Ain on June 26.

WHAT HAPPENED?