Flamengo have become the first Club World Cup side to rule themselves out of the running for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 40-year-old footballing legend has triggered an avalanche of transfer speculation after appearing to say goodbye to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Ronaldo is an impending free agent and endured a disappointing trophyless campaign in the Middle East before positing a cryptic social media message about a ‘chapter ending’.
Thanks to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Ronaldo is being hotly tipped to join a Club World Cup team, but it won’t be Flamengo.
In an interview their director of football, José Boto, said: “We don’t look favorably on the arrival of a player, whether it’s Cristiano or anyone else, just to play in the Club World Cup.
“We don’t believe that, in terms of the group, it will have a positive impact. We’re going to try to reinforce in this window for the World Cup, but the main objective is for them to be reinforcements for the rest of the season, not just for the Club World Cup.
“My idea and that of the coach (Filipe Luís) for the club’s marketing and the expansion of the brand is different [to signing Ronaldo].
“We have very clear objectives: to win La Liga, to try to win the Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil. To try to win everything if possible. If not, try to win two of the three major competitions here.
“Making an investment that could jeopardize the remainder of the season, from our sporting perspective, is not a good idea,”
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