Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed just how close he came to signing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s bitter rivals Arsenal FC prior to his move to Old Trafford in 2003. The former World and European player of the year was shown around the Gunners training facilities by Arsene Wenger on three separate occasions, with the Frenchman even offering the precocious youngster an Arsenal shirt as a memento of his visit.
Despite interest from Arsenal FC, Ronaldo eventually signed for Manchester United in a deal worth £12.24 million and he subsequently went on to win three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, as well as establishing himself as an Old Trafford legend and one the world’s best players.
Although he enjoyed an illustrious Manchester United playing career, Ronaldo recalls he and his mother watching a Premier League game involving Arsenal FC prior to his move to England, during which Arsene Wenger appeared on the screen. Ronaldo recalls his mother’s reaction to seeing the Frenchman, with her declaring how much she had liked the Gunners manager.
The Manchester United legend told the latest edition of GQ Magazine: “It’s true. I was an inch away from signing for Arsenal.”
“I saw Arsene Wenger three times with my mother. It was very close to being a done deal.”
“After I signed for United, she and I were sitting watching a Premier league game on television and she yelled out, ‘I know that guy – I liked him.’”
Although Arsenal had shown strong interest in the then Sporting Lisbon talent, the player’s agent Jorge Mendes, suggests Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had showed the greatest intent on signing the player by offering the Sporting Lisbon starlet the best deal.
Mendes told GQ: “This is what really happened. Everyone wanted Cristiano; Real, Juventus, Barcelona. But only Arsenal and Manchester United attempted to take him from Sporting Lisbon that season. The others wanted to leave him at Sporting at least a year.”
“But with United, everything was in place already, since an agreement had been reached the day before the match (a friendly involving Manchester United and Sporting).”
Ronaldo claims he was ready to leave Sporting Lisbon at the time, and despite his host of suitors from around Europe, he simply chose Manchester United because they offered him the best deal.
The Manchester United legend said: “The reason I went to United was because they were the team that made me the best offer.”
“I had never been to Manchester before, but what helped me was that my mother lived with me, my family visited a lot and I made friends with the players. What were my first impressions of the city? It rains a lot.”