Cristiano Ronaldo is still Manchester United’s record sale from his £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009.
It was a world record deal in football when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United, now 17 years ago.
Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or while at United, and ended up returning to Old Trafford in 2022, although his second chapter at Old Trafford did not quite go to plan.
Sir Alex Ferguson was a huge admirer of Ronaldo, and the Portuguese icon has spoken frequently about viewing the United boss as a father figure. But when a move to Spain was on the cards, Cristiano Ronaldo took it.
VOTE NOW for your pick between Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo
Who was the best Manchester United number 7 between these two icons?
Cristiano Ronaldo almost joined Barcelona and played with Lionel Messi
Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi is the greatest ever seen in football. They went head-to-head in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but that almost wasn’t the case.
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims that Ferguson had actually agreed to sell Ronaldo to Barcelona for an even higher fee.
Speaking on the Ingenios Podcast, Calderon said: “The truth is, Real Madrid gives you a lot. I remember with Cristiano Ronaldo, when I signed him, Jorge Mendes and I both agreed that the player would bring a lot to Real Madrid, but Real Madrid would also give a lot to Cristiano Ronaldo.
“And that’s exactly how it turned out. Real Madrid gives you so much.
“I think everyone wants to come here—not because of the money. In Cristiano’s case, I think Barcelona may have offered him more. There was actually a possibility that Cristiano could have gone to Barcelona -imagine Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo together.
“Alex Ferguson, who doesn’t exactly have much affection for us, when he found out the player wanted to leave and had reached an agreement with me, said: “Fine, you can go, but to Barcelona.”
“And Cristiano replied, ‘No, I’ve made a commitment to Real Madrid and to Ramón Calderon, and I’m going to Real Madrid.'”
Sir Alex Ferguson won TWO Champions League titles in 1999 and 2008, but had several near-misses…
… which Champions League run under Fergie was the ONE THAT GOT AWAY for you?
Cristiano Ronaldo comments on nearly joining Barcelona
Calderon claims that Barcelona came close to signing Ronaldo in 2009, and the Portuguese striker himself has spoke about being wanted by the Catalan club in 2003 before he joined United.
As quoted by IndiaToday, Ronaldo said: “Yes, it was when I was playing at Sporting Lisbon and I had the opportunity to join various clubs, one of which was Barcelona.
“I remember being with a person from Barcelona who wanted to sign me, but it didn’t happen. Maybe they wanted to bring me in, but it would have been for the following year.
“Then, a club like United came along and signed me immediately. You know how fast everything moves in football.”
READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes set to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s Premier League tally
Thankfully, Ronaldo didn’t end up joining Barcelona in 2003 and instead joined United under Alex Ferguson.
During his time at Old Trafford, he won three Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
