Everton 'decided AGAINST buying Cristiano Ronaldo for £2m in 2002 when he was just 17-years-old'

Everton decided against a move for a 17-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in 2002 for £2million, as they were keen to put full confidence in an upcoming star of their own - Wayne Rooney.

According to 'Messi vs Ronaldo' - a new book - David Moyes' side were one of a number of European outfits who had an opportunity to sign the future five-time Ballon d'Or winner, only to decide against taking the risk on a player as yet untested.

Ronaldo went on to stay at Sporting for one more year before eventually making his switch to the Premier League, joining Manchester United and embarking on one of the most successful careers in football history.

The book alleges that the Portuguese legend was offered to the Toffees for just £2m - a fee unthinkable given what he has gone on to achieve in the 20 years since.

But it is difficult to hold the decision against Everton, with future England captain Rooney poised to impress Moyes in the coming season despite his young age.

The 16-year-old forward was promoted to the senior team that summer, and would go on to play 36 games, scoring eight goals and providing one assist along the way.

Ronaldo meanwhile managed a still credible, but not necessarily better tally of five goals and six assists in 31 games.

However, fantastic as Rooney's breakthrough was under Moyes, he left Goodison Park for Old Trafford in 2004 for £33.3m - where he found a Ronaldo who had arrived the year before.

The two would go on to become one of the most fearsome strike forces that Europe had seen until that point, featuring together in 205 games and winning a Champions League in 2008 and three consecutive Premier League titles.

Although it is impossible to know exactly how good a youth prospect will turn out to be, it will still surely grate on Moyes that he almost had the opportunity to pair the two at his club.

But the Toffees were not the only side in the division to fail in the pursuit of the Portuguese wonderkid.

Newcastle were keen on a move and he even trained with Arsenal, with vice-chairman David Dein making the trip to Portugal to make a bid.

Add to the list of failed suitors Juventus, Parma and Lyon and Everton fans will likely feel much better about missing out on one of the greatest to ever play the game.

But there is surely little to stop Toffees thinking about what could have been.