Cristiano Ronaldo was 'very close' to joining Sporting KC ahead of Al-Nassr move
By Chris Smith
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of a spectacular move to MLS side Sporting Kansas City prior to joining Al-Nassr, according to reports.
The Portuguese icon and five-time Ballon d'Or winner completed a transfer to one of Saudi Arabia's most successful clubs on Friday, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract following a public falling out with Manchester United.
Even before his pre-World Cup departure from Old Trafford, the rumor mill was in overdrive regarding Ronaldo's next destination. Naturally, Major League Soccer was among the possible landing spots, though most naturally expected him to join a 'big market' club such as the LA Galaxy or Inter Miami.
Instead, according to a report from ESPN analyst and former New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman, Ronaldo was 'very close' to joining Sporting Kansas City.
Twellman says that multiple MLS clubs inquired about the 37-year-old, but that SKC were already at the table with a 'compelling' offer.
Multiple @MLS teams inquired about Ronaldo and his future but 1 team was already at the table: @SportingKC
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 31, 2022
Their offer was so compelling that Ronaldo’s team had multiple meetings w/SKC before taking the Saudi deal. The package (wages/commercial) was said to be “very close”. #MLS
MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert confirmed Twellman's report, adding that SKC already had Ronaldo's discovery rights - making them the first in line in MLS to sign him - and that talks went as far as discussing a potential ownership share in the club.
Sources can confirm: Sporting KC were the MLS team that came closest to signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Talks ongoing for weeks, it was a real possibility.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) December 31, 2022
Package was very good. Plans were being made to make it happen. SKC had his "discovery rights" (i.e. path to sign him). Wild. https://t.co/MIXxIEPHHY pic.twitter.com/On4bRwasdo
Twellman's report was further backed up when SKC owner Robb Heineman retweeted the news.
Robb Heineman over here Retweeting this... #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/eyZFWBKhhn
— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) December 31, 2022
Should Ronaldo have signed with SKC, it could have started an interesting battle with Scotland international Johnny Russell, who already occupies the club's No.7 shirt. Would he have given it away as easily as Edinson Cavani did at Manchester United? We'll never know...
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