Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives ‘had several meetings with MLS team Sporting Kansas City’

Sporting Kansas City reportedly became a finalist for Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature after multiple Major League Soccer teams explored a move for him.

Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr that will bring him $212 million a year.

Before reaching the agreement with the team, Ronaldo’s representatives had several meetings with Sporting KC, whose financial package, including wages and commercial elements, was seen as “very tight”. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman.

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) has signed for Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer

Sporting Kanas City had “several meetings” with Ronaldo’s representatives before the Saudis’ move

Kansas City were among the last teams to have the chance to sign Ronaldo as the side reportedly held his MLS ‘discovery rights’. This is a rule in the league that gives clubs the opportunity to win a player over rivals.

Some fans commented on the report to express their displeasure with MLS’s detection rule, pointing out that it may have cost the league a chance to sign one of football’s greatest players to the field in America.

“No disrespect to Sporting KC, one of the best run franchises in the MLS, but I wonder how things would have gone had it been a NY, LA or Miami team holding their discovery rights.” said an angry fan.

Another would go on to tweet: “Can we talk for a second how discovery rights to a player like Ronaldo are a joke? SKC was the only MLS team at the table because of that lol.’

MLS fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the “discovery rights” rule that may have cost them a chance to get Ronaldo into the league

Meeting a player of Ronaldo’s stature would not only have been a terrific move for a team in a market the size of Kansas City, but would have given the team a supersonic boost on the field after finishing 12th in the MLS Western th place in the conference with only 40 points.

In terms of the league as a whole, MLS would likely have received the same boost it did with the arrival of David Beckham, as former USMNT forward Alan Gordon has said would happen if Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami rumors ever come true would.

Nonetheless, following his bitter departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo will now lace up his boots for one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia’s top flight.

Ronaldo’s contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated in November

His exit came just days after Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV

Before his release, Ronaldo had an epic spat with the club when he criticized the club, the Glazers, manager Erik ten Hag and his team-mates in a sizzling interview.

The interview was the latest step in Ronaldo forcing himself out of the club after being dropped and training alone for refusing to come on as a substitute, then walking away with a win over Tottenham.

His luck didn’t improve during the World Cup with Portugal, when coach Fernando Santos dropped him from the starting XI for an alleged tactical decision.

There were reports that the 37-year-old was about to leave the tournament after the bench press, although these reports have been denied by both the player and the Portuguese FA.

Ronaldo became the first male player to score in five consecutive tournaments at the World Cup but struggled in Qatar. He was dropped from the team for the game against Switzerland and the quarter-final loss to Morocco after playing in the group stage.

He scored just one goal, a penalty against Ghana, and failed to influence a Portuguese side who – like United – looked more dangerous without him.

Ronaldo has been benched in a knockout match of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2008

Ronaldo was on the bench for Portugal’s two knockout games at the World Cup in Qatar