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.
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What’s next?
May be, Cristiano Ronaldo would not have joined Manchester United had the Red Devils secured the signature of Ronaldinho.
