Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he came very close to becoming an Arsenal player before he moved to Manchester United.
The Portugal star is arguably one of the greatest players that has ever played the game, but he didn’t start his career at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The former Real Madrid man came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon where he impressed enough to secure a move to Manchester United in 2003.
However, the Red Devils weren’t the only English side that wanted to sign the teenager with Liverpool and Arsenal also looking to lure him to the Premier League.
He has now revealed that he came agonisingly close to become an Arsenal player in an interview with Piers Morgan.
Morgan, who is an Arsenal fan, asked him if at the time he almost signed for the Gunners and he said as quoted in the Sun: “It’s true. Very close. One stop, incredible. Seriously.
Morgan then asked him to apologise for not joining the Gunners, and he obliged by saying: “I want to apologise, OK. Forgive me for not joining Arsenal.”
Ronaldo has now gone on to dominate the world’s game for many years and Arsenal fans can only wonder what would have been had he joined them instead.
No good looking back….damn and blast!
Perhaps now those who ridiculed AW when he said he so nearly signed many world class players, will listen to what players themselves are saying?
Of course, I will be told not to believe anything/everything a player says – it’s all part of the game.
Can’t wait for the book to come out and see what other players were identified by AW and the club failed him on.