I made transfer for the chance to play against Cristiano Ronaldo – but I accidentally joined wrong club with same name

FORMER LaLiga striker Thievy Bifouma moved to Iran to have a chance of facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the AFC Champions League.

But the 32-year-old has now hilariously revealed that he unwittingly signed for the WRONG club in the summer.

Thievy Bifouma wanted to join Esteghlal FC for the chance play against Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has entered the final year of his current Al-Nassr deal

Bifouma claims that he intended to join Esteghlal FC for the chance to square up with Ronaldo and Al-Nassr in the Champions League.

But he was not aware that this particular club, which he joined as a free agent, was not the only Iranian side named Esteghlal.

He told Iranian outlet Tasnim News Agency: “I had the chance to play in Turkey, but my wife didn’t want to move back there.

“I wish to play against Cristiano Ronaldo before I retire.

“Considering that he is now in Asia and there was an opportunity for me to come to Iran, they talked to me about Esteghlal’s offer.

“And I reviewed the calendar of games and realised that they have a game against Al-Nassr.

“I said to myself that this is where I wanted to go. I had no idea there were two teams named Esteghlal in Iran.”

The former West Brom loanee only realised his faux pas in the days after he arrived in Iran and signed his deal.

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He added: “When I arrived in Tehran, my countryman Gael Kakuta called me and asked where I was.

“I told him, ‘I’m at the hotel undergoing medical tests.’ He then asked, ‘Which hotel are you in? I’d like to come and see you.’

“An hour later, he called again and teased me, saying, ‘You play for the small Esteghlal, while we’re part of a bigger team. You defend, and we attack’.

“Regardless, it didn’t matter because we ended up winning the game against them in August, thanks to my goal.”

Thievy has scored three goals and provided two assists in nine games in the Iranian League this season.

But his chance of ever facing idol Ronaldo, 39, may be gone for good.

The team he intended to join was Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C. who frequently qualify for the AFC Champions League.

They are currently in the same Asian Champions League group as Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr side.

Meanwhile, Man Utd legend Ronaldo turns 40 in February and his current deal is due to expire in the summer.