‘I did reach out to one of his agent friends’ — Morrocan club chief speaks about signing Ronaldo

Wydad Casablanca president Hicham Aït-Menna has finally opened up about the viral rumours linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a stunning move to the Moroccan giants ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Although the idea made headlines around the globe, Aït-Menna revealed the truth behind the buzz, which was a hopeful question, not a serious negotiation.

Speaking on RMC’s After Afrique, Aït-Menna cleared the air on what really happened behind the scenes between Wydad Casablanca and Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the FIFA Club World Cup approaching and Wydad Casablanca set to represent Morocco, the club president admitted he took a shot in the dark for the Portuguese superstar.

“Yes, I did reach out to one of his agent friends about three and a half or four months ago,” Ait-Menna confessed, adding, “I asked, ‘Would he want to play the Club World Cup?’ The reply was, ‘Listen, I don’t think so.’”

It wasn’t about money. “Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t have come for the money – he doesn’t need it,” Aït-Menna noted, dismissing speculation that financial incentives were on the table.

Aït-Menna did not just dream of Ronaldo for the headlines. He suggested that FIFA themselves had a similar vision.

With the Saudi Pro League gaining global visibility thanks to players like Ronaldo, FIFA was reportedly eager to bring some of that star power to the inaugural expanded edition of the refurbished Club World Cup.

“I think FIFA were also interested in bringing players from Saudi Arabia to give this first edition more momentum,” Aït-Menna stated.

While the legendary Portuguese forward will not be gracing Moroccan soil in a Wydad jersey, the buzz he generated around the tournament has already done its part.

Wydad Casablanca now prepares for the ultimate test as they kick off their campaign today, June 13, against European champions Manchester City. The North African side will also face off against Juventus and Al-Ain in what promises to be a gruelling yet historic run.