The Transfer Drama Unfolds:
On the late evening of August 26, 2021, reports from Portugal and Spain suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo had agreed to personal terms to join Manchester City.
Ronaldo’s future had dominated headlines, with the latest news from AS, Daily Mail, and Italian sources claiming that the Portuguese forward had reached a personal agreement with Man City. It was reported that Ronaldo had agreed to a two-year contract with a salary of €15 million per season, half of what he was earning at Juventus.
Jorge Mendes and the Ronaldo Puzzle:
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had been in contact with both Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester City to find a suitable deal for the 36-year-old star. However, PSG’s interest waned after acquiring Lionel Messi, and they focused on retaining Kylian Mbappe amid Real Madrid’s pursuit. Meanwhile, Manchester City pursued Ronaldo diligently after missing out on Harry Kane.
Juventus, however, was adamant about not letting Ronaldo leave for free, as Man City and Mendes had hoped. Juventus demanded a transfer fee of €28 to €30 million or a swap deal involving striker Gabriel Jesus.
Continued Negotiations:
It was expected that negotiations would continue in the coming days to find the best solution. The summer transfer window in Europe was set to close on August 31.
The Stunning Twist:
However, late on August 27, the football world was left in disbelief as Manchester United’s official website confirmed that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would be returning to the club from Juventus. It was a seismic moment in the world of football.
The Erik ten Hag Drama:
Later, a dramatic falling-out occurred between Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag, leading to Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United and his subsequent success in the Arab world. He is currently thriving in his new environment.
Ronaldo’s Revelation:
During an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo revealed that he had come close to joining Manchester City and changed his mind at the last minute following a persuasive phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I have to say, I was very close to Manchester City. But, you know, my history is at Manchester United, my heart is with the club. You’re feeling what you did before makes the difference. And, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson as well.
I talked to Sir Alex. He told me, ‘You can’t go to Manchester City.’ And I said, ‘Yes, boss.’ I made a conscious decision, and I want to stress that it was the right decision,” Ronaldo disclosed.
Maria Santos’ Influence:
Another crucial factor in Ronaldo’s return was his mother, Maria Santos. She had two wishes for her son: first, to return to Manchester United and not play for a rival of the Red Devils, and second, to return to Sporting Lisbon, where Ronaldo had cherished memories from his childhood. She deeply desired Ronaldo’s return to Sporting Lisbon to contribute to the team and to live in the country where he was born. Ultimately, in pursuit of continued high-level football, Ronaldo followed the advice of his mother and Sir Alex Ferguson, opting not to sign with Manchester City and returning to Manchester United.
The Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga of 2021 had more twists and turns than anyone could have predicted. While Sir Alex Ferguson’s role is well-known, the influence of Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Santos, played a significant part in bringing him back to Manchester United.
It was a rollercoaster journey that ultimately saw one of the greatest footballers of all time return to the club where he had created a legacy and fulfilled the wishes of his mother. Thank you for joining us at Cris7 Universe for this exploration of the intriguing story.
