English Premier League
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo denies Cristiano Ronaldo talks in 2022
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has dismissed reports that the club negotiated with Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer of 2022, saying the former Real Madrid forward “could not have played” for the Spanish side.
Ronaldo was unhappy with his return to Manchester United at the time, prompting his agent Jorge Mendes to explore possible destinations for the Portugal international during the transfer window.
Despite the speculation, Atletico Madrid were never a genuine option for Ronaldo, according to Cerezo.
Speaking in an interview with the Kuwaiti programme Super, as reported by Sport, Cerezo was asked about the possibility of Ronaldo joining the Madrid club.
“The truth is that Cristiano Ronaldo could not have played with us,” said the Atletico president.
Cerezo added: “Ronaldo left Real Madrid because he wanted to continue playing.”
Ronaldo had left Real Madrid for Juventus, where he spent three seasons. During his time in Italy, he won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia.
Cerezo said Ronaldo’s most straightforward choice would have been to remain in the city where he was living, but the forward ultimately moved to Saudi Arabia, where he now plays.
“The easiest option for him was to stay in the city where he lived, but in the end he went to Saudi Arabia, and that is where he plays now,” Cerezo said.
The Atletico president did not mention Ronaldo’s subsequent return to Manchester United before the player moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Reports linking Ronaldo with Atletico Madrid had circulated in the summer of 2022, but the proposed move was rejected by the player himself.
Ronaldo responded to the stories on Instagram at the time, when reports suggested he could join the Madrid-based club.
“It is impossible that they do not talk about me for one day. Otherwise, the press would not make money. They know that if they do not lie, they cannot attract people’s attention. Keep going, and one day you will get the truth in one of the stories,” Ronaldo wrote.
A few months later, in October 2022, Atletico manager Diego Simeone also denied that the club had any interest in signing the Portuguese striker.
The claims emerged as Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United was uncertain, with Mendes searching for an alternative destination. However, both the Atletico hierarchy and Ronaldo rejected the idea that a move to the club had been a realistic possibility.
