Cristiano Ronaldo met with MLS club to discuss transfer and potential ownership stake as new report highlights talks
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly met with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Sporting Kansas City before his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. According to journalist Taylor Twellman, the 39-year-old was offered an ownership stake in the club as part of his move to the United States.
Ronaldo's contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated in November 2022, just before the FIFA World Cup. He entered negotiations with multiple clubs, eventually joining Al-Nassr in January 2023.
Sporting KC was one of the clubs interested in bringing Ronaldo over, and were even constructing innovative transfer offers to lure him to the MLS. In conversation with American outlet Kansas City star, KC coach Peter Vermes confirmed that there were multiple meetings between the representatives of the club and the player.
They were willing to offer the ex-Real Madrid talisman a cut of international jersey sales and potentially even an ownership stake in the club. They were even planning to get NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, who plays for the KC Chiefs, to explain to Ronaldo how it felt to live in the city.
The report added (via SportBible):
"The feedback was positive and one meeting became another, with senior figures at the team convinced they were down to the final two before Ronaldo opted for Saudi Arabia."
While Ronaldo chose to move to the Middle East at the start of 2023, long-time rival Lionel Messi moved to the MLS just six months later. The Argentine signed with the David Beckham-owned Inter Miami on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes claims he would "love" for Cristiano Ronaldo to join MLS side Sporting Kansas City
NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, claimed that he would 'love' for Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo to join MLS side Sporting KC.
Mahomes met Ronaldo's long-time rival Lionel Messi before Inter Miami's matchup against Sporting KC at the Arrowhead Stadium in April 2024. The three-time NFL champion watched on from the stands as the Argentine grabbed a goal and an assist each, leading his side to a 3-2 victory.
In an episode of the 'IMPAULSIVE' podcast, the 28-year-old claimed that Ronaldo is a better athlete and attacker while Messi is more gifted in the technical aspect. He also claimed that he would love for the Al-Nassr forward to move to his local MLS side, saying:
"If he wants to come play for Sporting Kansas City, man I would love for him to be here."