Cristiano Ronaldo would almost have ended up at an English top club!
If Cristiano Ronaldo follows the English Premier League, he doesn’t just root for his former club Manchester United. According to his own statement, the superstar also has a certain sympathy for league rivals FC Arsenal because of a failed transfer, as he revealed in an interview with Piers Morgan.
“Honestly: When I watch Arsenal, I don’t see them as rivals – I was almost there. I wouldn’t claim to have a special passion for the club. But I like the team, and I’m happy when they win, because of that history,” Ronaldo revealed.
Cristiano Ronaldo would almost have moved to FC Arsenal according to his own statement
United brought Ronaldo after a furious test match appearance
In 2003, before his move to the Red Devils, the Portuguese is said to have already agreed with the Gunners. Ronaldo told his interviewer that he had already met with coach legend Arsène Wenger and everything was agreed between Arsenal and the player.
According to Morgan, the Real legend then “terrorized” former defender John O’Shea so much in a test match between United and Sporting that he went to their coach Sir Alex Ferguson with three other players and said: “Don’t leave before you signed this boy.”
Ultimately, Ronaldo actually landed at Old Trafford. “In life and in football it’s about opportunities and moments. I saw my chance at Manchester United and took it. But to be honest: I was very close to Arsenal back then,” the superstar explained his decision at the time.
Ronaldo’s career end? “Soon!”
22 years later, the fifth-time world footballer of the year is ending his career at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. When asked about the timing of his career end, the 40-year-old explained: “Soon. But I think I will be prepared for it. It will of course be hard. It will be difficult, yes. I will probably cry.”
“It will be very, very difficult, but I have been preparing for my future since I was 25, 26, 27 years old. That’s why I think I can withstand this pressure. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush we get in football when we score a goal,” Ronaldo explained.
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