Marcelo Gallardo, the coach of River Plate, revealed that he contacted Cristiano Ronaldo in March through a mutual friend to invite him to join the Argentine team for the FIFA Club World Cup. Ronaldo considered the offer but decided to prepare for the next season instead. The invitation was made informally, and Ronaldo publicly acknowledged receiving 'invitations' from Argentina to participate in the tournament. Gallardo clarified that the contact was informal and was made public by Ronaldo himself.

Cristiano Ronaldo is rumored to join River Plate, with Argentine media suggesting it is a done deal. However, no official statement has been made by either River Plate or Ronaldo. The president of River Plate, Jorge Pablo Brito, is reportedly involved in the negotiations, which began a few months ago. Ronaldo's high salary is a potential obstacle for River Plate.

Marcelo Gallardo, the coach of River Plate, personally contacted Cristiano Ronaldo with the intention of signing him as a reinforcement for the 2025 Club World Cup. Gallardo aimed to attract Ronaldo with the opportunity to compete for a significant title with River Plate, leveraging his personal connections with Arab football and Al-Nassr. However, Ronaldo declined the offer, stating he has no plans to leave Al-Nassr, where he is under contract and focused on both local and international competitions.