Atletico Madrid president confirms Ronaldo never close to joining in 2022
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 13, 2026, 11:41 PM
Last updated Aug 13, 2026

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo clarified that Cristiano Ronaldo was never close to joining the club in 2022. Despite speculations and discussions around Ronaldo's unsettled status at Manchester United, Cerezo described Atletico as never a realistic option. He highlighted that Ronaldo's simplest route would have been to stay in Madrid, where he was living at the time. Cerezo's statement follows Ronaldo's own dismissal of the transfer rumors that summer. Currently, Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr as he enters his 25th season of professional football.
- •Cerezo stated Ronaldo was never a realistic option for Atletico in 2022.
- •Ronaldo sought a new challenge amid discontent at Manchester United.
- •Cerezo commented on Ronaldo's eventual move to Saudi Arabia.
- •Ronaldo responded to transfer rumors via social media, dismissing them.
- •Ronaldo is now back with Al-Nassr entering his 25th professional season.
- 11:41 PMYahoo Sports — Did Cristiano Ronaldo almost join Atletico Madrid in 2022? Club president reveals the truth
"Cristiano Ronaldo to Atletico Madrid was a thing of discussion back in 2022, but how much of it was true? Ronaldo was never close to joining Atletico in 2022, despite widespread reports linking the former Real Madrid star with a move across the Spanish capital. Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has now addressed the long-running transfer rumours.
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