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- Moroccan club Wydad AC has joined the list of clubs interested in signing Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo
- Wydad, who recently parted ways with South African technician Rulani Mokwena, wants to add Ronaldo to their squad due to his wealth of experience and sporting incentive
Moroccan club Wydad AC has joined the list of clubs interested in signing Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international has been on the radar of several top clubs ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup.
Wydad, who recently parted ways with South African technician Rulani Mokwena, wants to add Ronaldo to their squad due to his wealth of experience and sporting incentive. Clubs in Europe and Brazil such as Botafogo have also expressed interest in signing him. While his plans remain unknown, there are high chances that he could leave Al Nassr this summer considering his contract expires on June 30th.
Wydad AC are reportedly interested in signing Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo/ Daily Post Nigeria.
The clubs participating at the newly-expanded Club World Cup will have a special window to make signings and bolster their squads before the tournament kicks off in Philadelphia. And this offers a great opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to show the world that he is still good in his craft at the age of 40.
Wydad AC Parts Ways With Rhulani Mokwena
With less than four weeks before the Club World Cup kicks off, Wydad have parted ways with manager Rhulani Mokwena. The club released a statement on Tuesday confirming that Mokwena will cease being manager with immediate effect at the end of the 2024/25 season following the termination of his contract on mutual agreement.
“Wydad Athletic Club board confirms that the contractual relationship with coach Rulani Mokwena will be officially terminated immediately after the end of the professional league, in compliance with the terms of the contract between the two parties.” The club posted on Facebook.
Wydad AC further added that the South African manager, who previously managed Mamelodi Sundowns, had been granted an exceptional leave of absence for the rest of the season.
Mokwena was the ninth manager Wydad has hired since partying ways with Walid Regragui who left to coach the Morocco national team. Walid had led the club to victory at the 2022 Africa’s Champions League and also did tremendously well with the national team, leading them to the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco made history by becoming the first African team to reach the semis on the biggest stage in the world of football.
With Mokwena in charge, Wydad finished third on Morocco’s top flight and missed out on next season’s Champions League. While reports in South Africa indicate that Mokwena had gone months without being paid, he wished Wydad success at the Club World Cup and also extended his heartfelt thanks to the club’s president Hicham Ait Menna for his visionary leadership and steadfast support.
Rhulani Mokwena has been sacked after a disappointing season which has seen Wydad finish third in the league and miss out in next season’s Champions League. Photo/ Goal.com.
Did Wydad Qualify For The Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup will take place in the United States this summer. It will open on June 14 and will see 32 teams compete for the title.
Wydad, who are expected to make a move for Cristiano Ronaldo in the coming days, are in a tough group which also consists of Premier League giants Manchester City, Ronaldo’s former club Juventus and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. The Moroccan side will face City on June 18 in Philadelphia and then they’ll play Juventus before traveling to Washington DC where they’ll take on Al Ain.
The total prize money for the Club World Cup is $1 billion. Whereas majority of the amount will go to the 12 European teams that have qualified for the competition, each of the four African teams will be compensated with a whopping $9.55 million.
