Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo on multiple occasions despite Manchester United’s generous offer.
Ronaldo’s second stint with United ended bitterly after the Portuguese’s controversial tell-all interview with Piers Morgan led to the termination of his contract.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed in early January that the five time Ballon d’Or winner has signed for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
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Ronaldo was officially unveiled by his new club last week, drawing big crowds as Al Nassr fans all gathered to get a glimpse of the 37-year-old.
According to The Athletic, Ronaldo’s former club Madrid rejected the chance to sign him several times.
It was reported that Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, approached the La Liga giant several times during the summer about a potential transfer.
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However, it was stated that no proposal to bring him back to the Bernabeu was forthcoming despite United offering to cover the bulk of Ronaldo’s salary for the season.
After leaving United in November, Ronaldo was spotted training at Madrid’s base, which led to speculation that a sensational return could be on the horizon.
However, it was purely a kind gesture to allow the club’s record goalscorer to stay fit during his time off.
The report also stated that Mendes held talks with Chelsea and Bayern Munich, offering them a chance to sign the Portugal superstar.
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A move never materialised and in the end, Ronaldo opted to continue his stellar career in the Middle East with Al Nassr.
Fans are waiting for Ronaldo’s debut with his new club and that could come later this month when Paris Saint Germain play an exhibition match against a team made up of the best players from Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s manager, Rudi Garcia has confirmed that his full debut will happen when Al Nassr take on Ettifaq on 22 January.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo