Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that Barcelona approached him for a potential transfer In Catalon before he finally decided to join Manchester United again in 2003.
After appearing as a spaghetti hair sensation in the first Sporting CP team during the 2002/03 campaign, Ronaldo attracted interest from clubs across the continent. Deals with the likes of Juventus And Valencia was rumored. United eventually paid £ 12m for the 18-year-old then after a blind screen in a friendly at the opening of Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
United already had a long relationship with Ronaldo And ultimately accelerated an existing deal that had been set for 2004. Barcelona was not ready to move their deal forward.
“Yes, it was when I was playing at Sporting, and I had the opportunity to join different clubs, one of which was Barcelona,” Ronaldo said Beach in an exclusive interview.
“I remember I was with a person from Barcelona who wanted to sign me but didn't happen. Maybe they wanted to bring me, but it would have been for next year. Then, a club like Manchester United came inside and signed me immediately. You know how fast everything moves in football. “
At that time, Barcelona had just signed Ronaldinho, beating Manchester United in the signing of the future Brazilian icon after sold David Beckham in Real Madrid.
Portuguese sensation would continue to join Madrid trueBarcelona's arch rivals, increasing the frightening hostility that already existed between the two Spanish giants by Lionel Messi for the title of 'Best Player in the World'.
“I liked to play at the Nou camp. They took me, they insulted me and I loved it,” Ronaldo insisted.
“I liked to score more goals in Camp Nou than in the Santiago Bernabeu. When you are warming up and they are already whistling towards you, that's what I want. That's the best part of football for me.”
This attitude arises on Ronaldo's record against Barcelona. Madrid icon scored 14 goals in 17 games at Camp Nou – compared to only six in 17 games outside of Catalonia.