Ronaldinho reveals he joined Barcelona because of the former president Sandro Rosell.
Brazilian Ronaldinho, who joined Barcelona in 2003, has revealed that was two days away from Manchester United move. The forward originally struck a deal with the Red Devils, but opted to join the Spanish giants because of former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.
The 39-year-old spent five years at Nou Camp and became one of the favourite footballers of all-time with his magical feet. He lifted two La Liga and one Champions League, before Pep Guardiola shipped him off to AC Milan in 2009.
Speaking to FourFourTwo earlier this year, the former PSG forward divulged about potential Manchester United move, which was ’48 hours’ from completion. After agreeing terms with the club, Sandro Rosell was about to become Barcelona’s president. He lured the magical Brazilian to Nou Camp.
Ronaldinho said: “It almost happened with United. It was a matter of 48 hours, but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: “If I become Barça president, will you come?” I said yes. It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the elections there. And I had promised to him that I’d play for Barça… It was a quick negotiation.
I told the English I had chosen Barça. It was the right choice. Brazilians have always loved Barça. We have a history there. Off the pitch it is like nowhere else in Europe, so we are always happy playing there. I miss Barcelona a lot. I had five fantastic seasons there, at a club that likes strikers and talented players. About Blackburn: we talked to them, but I wanted to come back home to Brazil.”
There are persisting rumours of Ronaldinho’s return to football. The Brazilian hung up his boots in January 2018, but he could feature for Maltese club Birkirkara FC. Besides, the technical director of the club has confirmed that the Maltese club is in talks with the forward to make a U-Turn on his career plans.
Here’s how Twitter has reacted..
16 years ago, Ronaldinho joins @FCBarcelona & opens up a glorious chapter in the club’s history. Football was never going to be the same again ever since.
Not sure how many will remember that he was close to join @ManUtd? Still remains to me one of those “What ifs” in football. pic.twitter.com/GOhX1RwYeH
— Sivan John (@SivanJohn_) July 19, 2019
Ronaldinho Was 48 Hours Away From Signing For Manchester United
Read The Full Article Here: https://t.co/8qIc7ApxID #FootyNews #FootballNews #SoccerNews pic.twitter.com/cIDLjthP3k— FootyNews.co.uk (@FootyNews90) July 19, 2019
I was 16 years old and remember watching @SkySportsNews the whole of my summer holidays and was devastated when a woke up on this day back in 2003 to see Ronaldinho showboat in the @FCBarcelona shirt because I was sure he was signing for @ManUtd #TheOneThatGotAway https://t.co/8Y0Uyaj3IB
— Graeme McGraw (@GMCG178) July 19, 2019
Ronaldinho Was 48 Hours Away From Signing For Manchester United – SPORTbible https://t.co/audhLddkpC pic.twitter.com/mYYdvNl330
— Manchester United BIB (@BibUnited) July 20, 2019
What’s next?
May be, Cristiano Ronaldo would not have joined Manchester United had the Red Devils secured the signature of Ronaldinho.