Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly attempted to coax Cristiano Ronaldo into signing for Barcelona in favour of Real Madrid back in 2009.
Real Madrid had publicly courted Ronaldo throughout the 2008-09 season and shattered the transfer record that summer by paying £80million to bring the Portuguese star to the Bernabeu.
The Spanish giant's pursuit of Ronaldo had angered the then United boss Ferguson, who ruled out selling his prised asset to Madrid back in 2008, saying: 'Do you think I would get into a contract with that mob. Jesus Christ, no chance. I wouldn’t sell them a virus.'
Madrid were on a mission to usurp Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side, who had romped home to the La Liga title in 2009, and had already recruited Xabi Alonso and Kaka before setting their sights on finally sealing Ronaldo's signature.
But Ferguson went to extreme lengths to prevent Ronaldo from joining Madrid, even offering him to Barcelona, which would have seen him link-up with Lionel Messi.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, The United boss tried to steer Ronaldo towards Barcelona after resigning himself to losing his star player, but Ronaldo had already set his heart on signing for Madrid.
Barcelona's line-up that season would have been extraordinary if Ronaldo had have signed with the Portugal sensation joining a dream attack alongside Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Messi.
If Ferguson had his way, Barcelona could have brought an era of unprecedented success with those world-class stars up front.
Ronaldo rejected the chance though and enjoyed a prolific first season at Madrid, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, but could not stop Barcelona from winning successive La Liga titles.
The now Juventus star would go on to cement his place as a Madrid legend after scoring an astonishing 450 goals in 438 matches for the club during a trophy-laden nine years before leaving for Turin in 2018.
XChampion15
2308
Ferguson already imagined the possibly of Messi and Ronaldo in the same club, he was ahead of his time. Maybe Ferguson is truly the best
roy_sirm
1136
prime messi and prime cr7 in a team would have been too much for the world
hupbckmnuz
550
i think we woundnt have seen the best of them. the rivalry between them is what have propelled them to be the best they are now..Rivalry makea players better and lack of it makes them loose concentration. back then in the epl, van nisterooy and henry were the best strikers because of rivalry, so was Roy kean and Patric Viera.We all saw the likes of Zidane, Brazilian Ronaldo, Luis Figo,Rivaldo, Romario, Roberto Bagio, Totti,Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Kaka, Beckham, Samuel Etoo, Lampard, Gerrad, Scholes, Giggs and those players past that kept the rivalry and heat on therefore making themselves better and had longer carrers at the highest level. Ronaldiho was a foothball God and no one and i repeat no one got close to his level and thus no competition for him, this made him complacent and he couldnt hold on his magic for a longer period.
Theman21
431
Would’ve been awesome to see Ronaldo team up with his dad Leo Messi. Two of the best players of all time
jaazibshah
302
Like Many Always Said: Chemistry 🧪 Always Goes Above When Rivalry Goes To Friendship ! ✅
DarkKing2010
245
What would have Happened if Ronaldo Joined Barcelona in 2009 : - 1 - Instead of Messi - Ronaldo Rivalry, we Would have Seen Messi - Ronaldo Partnership 2 - Barcelona would have Got UCL every Year 3 - Barcelona would have been the Strongest Team ever
jezabdnpyz
106
RONALDO