Corinthians chief Duilio Monteiro Alves has admitted that they offered Cristiano Ronaldo a huge contract - but Al-Nassr won the race to sign him.
The 37-year-old saw his deal at Manchester United ripped up following an incendiary interview with Piers Morgan where he criticised the club, the Glazers and Erik ten Hag.
Last week, Ronaldo penned a blockbuster contract with Saudi side Al-Nassr worth £177million a year while the five-time Ballon d'Or winner insisted he turned down offers from across the world.
And that appears to have been confirmed by Corinthians president Alves, who revealed they even matched his wages at Old Trafford but could not compete with the terms on offer at Al-Nassr.
He told Bandeirantes' Donos da Bola: "We made an offer to Cristiano Ronaldo. A salary equal to what he earned at United, two-year deal with the help of sponsors.
"I know he also had proposals from Europe. But the proposal from Saudi Arabia was 20 times higher.
"I spoke six, seven times with Jorge Mendes and, in the end, we sent a proposal through another person."
In his first interview as an Al-Nassr interview, Ronaldo claimed that he turned down offers from across the globe to pen a deal with the Saudi outfit.
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He said: “I’m so proud to make this decision in my life and football.
“I am so proud at making this big decision in my life and my career. My work in Europe is done. I played for all the most important clubs.
“I had many opportunities in Europe. Many clubs in Brazil, Australia, in the US and even Portugal.
“For me this is a good chance with my knowledge and experience to grow very important clubs.
“I want to help many different points and the Al-Nassr’s woman’s team. I want to change the perspective of many people.”
Alves went on to joke that he was glad that Ronaldo snubbed the offer from Corinthians - due to the financial burden that would have been hit the club.
"I made the proposal and even hoped not to accept it (laughs). Just kidding, we had many partners already warned. I think we have to try," Alves added.
"Renato Augusto, Willian thought it was funny and, well, it worked out in the end. Presiding over Corinthians, we have to look for the best in the world."
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