German giants linked with Portuguese star

Opted against making an approach

Focused on building a winning team

WHAT HAPPENED? The Bundesliga giants were 🎅 among those linked with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner last summer, and again when he was released as a free 🎅 agent by Manchester United in November 2024. No approach was made for Ronaldo, though, with Dortmund’s recruitment policy driven by 🎅 current potential on the field – rather than previous exploits or millions of followers away from the pitch.

WHAT THEY SAID: 🎅 BVB managing director Cramer has told kicker of the links to Ronaldo: “Basically, the value of Borussia Dortmund does not 🎅 depend on social media followers. We are a football club, that's the key. We can have the best ideas in 🎅 marketing, but if we lose 3-0 at home to Freiburg, it doesn't work. Even with the best brand presentation, the 🎅 be-all and end-all is the product.”