Corinthians boss reveals Brazilian club have made an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo

Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves has confirmed the Brazilian club tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before joining Al-Nassr – before they were attacked by the Saudi club, who were willing to pay him 20 times theirs offer to pay.

Ronaldo became a free agent at the end of November after his contract with Manchester United was terminated following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

After weeks of speculation about his future, the Portuguese star has finally signed a deal with Saudi club Al-Nassr, which will see him earn £175million a year.

Corinthians President Duilio Monteiro Alves has revealed that they have been trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo opted for Saudi club Al-Nassr and is expected to earn £175million a year after the club offered him 20 times what Corinthians could afford

That wasn’t the only offer on the table, however, as Alves revealed Corinthians had made an offer for Ronaldo – but claimed Al-Nassr ultimately trumped those offers thanks to their buying power.

“We made an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “A salary that matches what he earned at United, a two-year deal with the help of sponsors,” Alves told Bandeirantes’ Donos da Bola.

“I know that he also had suggestions from Europe. But the proposal from Saudi Arabia was 20 times higher.

Ronaldo was unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday but is yet to make his debut for the club

“I spoke to Jorge Mendes six, seven times and we ended up sending an offer through someone else.”

Ronaldo reportedly parted ways with longtime agent Mendes after a disagreement over his interview with Morgan, which could provide another clue as to why Corinthians took no delight in luring the striker to Brazil.

Alves has jokingly said he was glad Ronaldo had not agreed due to the financial strain it would have placed on his club, but believes he had to try to sign the global superstar.

“I made the suggestion and even hoped not to accept it (laughs). Just kidding, we had already warned many partners. I think we have to try,’ Alves said.

Ronaldo watched his new side’s 2-0 win over Al-Ta’ee with his personal manager Ricardo Regufe brokering the deal that took the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to Al-Nassr

“Renato Augusto, Willian thought it was funny and it worked out in the end. As Corinthians Chairman, we must be on the lookout for the best in the world.’

Ronaldo, who has already been training with his new squad, insisted at his Al-Nassr press conference ahead of his official unveiling on Tuesday that he had received offers from around the world before settling on a move to Saudi Arabia and Alves’ comments suggest he was telling the truth.

Ronaldo said: “Nobody knows but I’ve had a lot of opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia, USA and even Portugal, a lot of clubs have tried to sign me. I gave this club my word. I want to convey a different vision of this country and football. That’s why I took this opportunity.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had hoped to make his debut for Al-Nassr on Friday but had to watch as his new teammates beat Al-Ta’ee 2-0 from the stands as he served a two Banned after a fan’s phone was smashed following United’s defeat at Everton in April.