Cristiano Ronaldo’s former agent revealed details about the Portuguese star’s start in European football and the battle that took place among Europe’s biggest clubs for his signature. He also dropped a bombshell by stating that FC Barcelona was strongly interested in signing his client in 2003.
He said that Ronaldo, who later became a legend at Manchester United and Real Madrid, was very close to wearing the Barcelona jersey.
How did Ronaldo leave Sporting Lisbon?
He added that in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo had only one year remaining on his contract with Sporting Lisbon.
He explained: “I received offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Everyone wanted Ronaldo, but they all wanted him to stay an additional year in Portugal and then join them the following season.”
He noted: “They were preparing the contracts, and one club offered me eight million euros as a commission… Any other agent would have agreed, but I called Ronaldo and told him that the most important thing for him now was his career, not the money.”
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Ronaldo’s former agent mentioned that afterwards, Manchester United’s manager came and requested to buy his contract, promising to give him a chance to play in at least half of the matches. He indicated that this offer was the key to Ronaldo’s launch, as he played for Manchester United at the age of 18, and it was the best deal he ever made in his life.
Europe
Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and periods of both immense conflict and cooperation. Culturally, it is renowned for its diverse array of historic cities, artistic movements, and architectural landmarks, from medieval castles to grand cathedrals and museums. Its modern identity is significantly defined by the political and economic integration of the European Union in the aftermath of the 20th century’s world wars.
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German, and English footballers. It is famously known as “Més que un club” (More than a club) due to its deep historical role as a symbol of Catalan identity and culture, particularly during the Francoist dictatorship.
Manchester United
Manchester United is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported football teams, historically renowned for its success under manager Sir Matt Busby and later Sir Alex Ferguson, who led the club to numerous domestic and European titles.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly winning a record number of UEFA Champions League titles.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Clube de Portugal, commonly known as Sporting Lisbon, is a major Portuguese sports club founded in Lisbon in 1906. It is renowned for its successful football academy, which has produced world-class players like Cristiano Ronaldo, and has won numerous domestic league and cup titles throughout its history.
Portugal
Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with a rich history as a global maritime power during the Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its cultural heritage is reflected in landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the historic centre of Porto, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Juventus
Juventus is an Italian professional football club based in Turin, founded in 1897. It is one of the most successful clubs in football history, having won a record number of Italian league titles and being historically associated with the Agnelli family through its ownership of FIAT.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan, officially known as Football Club Internazionale Milano, is an Italian professional football club founded in 1908 by a group of Milan Cricket and Football Club dissidents who wanted a club open to foreign players, hence the name “Internazionale.” Based in Milan, it is one of Italy’s most successful clubs, having won numerous Serie A titles, Coppa Italia trophies, and European championships, including three UEFA Champions League titles.
AC Milan
AC Milan is an Italian professional football club founded in 1899 by English expatriates, making it one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Italy. It is renowned for its rich history, having won numerous domestic and international titles, including seven European Cup/UEFA Champions League trophies. The club’s iconic red and black striped kit has become a symbol of football excellence worldwide.
Valencia
Valencia is a historic city on Spain’s eastern coast, founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC and later becoming a major center under Muslim rule and the Kingdom of Valencia. It is renowned for its City of Arts and Sciences complex, the Gothic-style Valencia Cathedral (which purportedly houses the Holy Grail), and the annual Las Fallas festival.
