Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he was ‘very close’ to joining Arsenal before his move to Manchester United in 2003.
The Portuguese superstar moved to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as a raw 18-year-old, developing into one of the world’s finest players during a six-season stay in the Premier League which saw him win three league titles and the Champions League.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has since gone to play for Real Madrid and Juventus, establishing himself as one of the game’s all-time greats, but Ronaldo has now revealed his time in England could have been different as he came just ‘one step away’ from joining Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal before opting to move to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
“It’s true. (I came) very close, one step away. Incredible. They’re a fantastic club,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Arsenal fan Piers Morgan for ITV.
“It didn’t happen, but I appreciate what they did for me, especially Arsene Wenger.
“You know football, you never know where you’re going to play. The life is like that.”
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