The Almost Transfer:
In the football world, the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United in 2003 was a pivotal moment. However, before he became a Red Devil, Barcelona had expressed interest in acquiring the young Portuguese talent for a mere $19 million.
Joan Laporta, speaking ahead of a highly anticipated El Clásico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid, revealed, “Back when I was appointed as Barcelona’s president in 2003, I signed contracts with Ronaldinho, Rafael Márquez, and Ricardo Quaresma.”
The Surprise Offer:
At that time, Barcelona was in a rebuilding phase, while Cristiano Ronaldo was still plying his trade with Sporting Lisbon and on the brink of joining Manchester United. Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s agent, presented an intriguing proposition to Laporta. “Jorge Mendes informed me that he had another exceptionally talented player, Cristiano Ronaldo,” Laporta recalled.
Upon hearing Mendes’s offer, Laporta replied, “Barcelona is already aware of Cristiano.” Mendes then suggested that they could secure the young Sporting Lisbon prodigy for just $19 million – nearly $2 million less than what Manchester United eventually paid for him.
Missed Opportunity:
Barcelona undoubtedly regrets not securing Cristiano Ronaldo when he was just 18 years old. Today, CR7 stands as one of the world’s premier football superstars. In the previous season, he scored the decisive goal in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Nou Camp, ending Barcelona’s impressive unbeaten streak at 39 games.
The Unveiled Reason:
For a long time, the true reason behind Ronaldo’s failure to join Barcelona remained a mystery. It wasn’t until later that it became clear that his sister, Liliana Aveiro, played a significant role in this decision. She was a devoted Manchester United fan and desired to see her brother don the famous red jersey of the Red Devils.
The story of Cristiano Ronaldo’s almost transfer to Barcelona for a mere $19 million is a captivating tale of what could have been. In the world of football, it’s these near-miss moments that add layers of intrigue to the careers of legendary players like Ronaldo. While Barcelona may have missed out on signing CR7, the football world still marvels at the incredible journey of this iconic athlete.
