PSG chief explains why mega-rich club won’t be signing Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is searching for his next club after having his contract terminated by Manchester United but Nasser Al-Khelaifi has ruled Paris Saint-Germain out of the race to sign him
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has ruled the Ligue 1 giants out of the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
The superstar is currently a free agent having had his contract at Manchester United terminated following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. PSG have been one of the clubs linked with the 37-year-old due to their mega-rich status.
If he did move to the Parc des Princes, it would set up the mouthwatering prospect of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Ronaldo all playing for the same team. But Al-Khelaifi has now rubbished suggestions that PSG will be making a move for the Portugal captain.
Instead, he insisted that the French giants were happy to balance a team already containing three superstars. Al-Khelaifi did wish Ronaldo well with his search for a new club, with a move to Saudi Arabia looking most likely.
“The three players that we have [Messi, Neymar and Mbappe], it’s very difficult, but I wish him all the best. He’s fantastic and he’s still an amazing player,” the PSG president told Sky News.
Instead of Ronaldo, it appears that Al-Khelaifi will set his recruitment team the task of brining Jude Bellingham to Paris. Bellingham is being chased by many of Europe’s top clubs and it appears PSG have now entered the race to sign him from Borussia Dortmund.
“What a player. Honestly, England are lucky to have him … and he’s one of the best players in the tournament. Amazing and you see his first World Cup — calm and relaxed and confident,” Al-Khelaifi said.
“Everyone wants him. I’m not going to hide it. But I respect he’s in his club and, respect if we want to talk to him, we talk to the club first.”
Al-Khelaifi’s move to shut down any suggestions that PSG are interested in signing him may disappoint Ronaldo. In his bombshell interview with Morgan, he hinted he would like to play for the Ligue 1 side and hailed Messi.
“It’s… everything is possible in football. Why not? For sure. They will sell a lot of shirts. Amazing. Player is magic – top,” he said.
“As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. We share. I have great relationship with him. I’m not friend of him in terms of what I mean friend is, the guy who was with you in your house. Speaking of phone.
“No, but heâs like a team-mate. Itâs a guy that I really respect, the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina.
“My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? Great things. Heâs a great guy who does everything for football.”
With PSG out of the running and a move to another Premier League club highly unlikely, Ronaldo’s options are becoming increasingly limited. Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have made a huge offer, but Ronaldo has distanced himself from that potential deal.
