sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Ronaldinho Was Convinced He Was Signing For Manchester United In 2003

Ronaldinho Was Convinced He Was Signing For Manchester United In 2003

Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho on the same team? That's just overkill.

Jacque Talbot

Jacque Talbot

Ronaldinho was convinced he would be signing for Manchester United back in 2003.

The Brazilian trickster was close to joining the Red Devils and playing football under revered boss Sir Alex Ferguson, but he opted to put pen to paper and sign for Barcelona instead, in a move reportedly worth £21 million.

It was at the Nou Camp where the attacker played his part in helping the La Liga giants earn a Champions League trophy and win consecutive La Liga titles.

He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2005, owing to his brilliant performances and alternative footballing style - but things could've been so different had he made the move from Paris Saint-Germain to Old Trafford.

"It almost happened with United," Ronaldinho said to Four Four Two earlier this year :"It was a matter of 48 hours, but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: 'If I become Barca president, will you come?' I said yes.

"It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the elections there.

"And I had promised to him that I'd play for Barca. It was a quick negotiation. I told the English I had chosen Barca."

Midfielder Kleberson even told ESPN that he only joined Man United because he thought that Ronaldinho would be doing the same. Of course this never materialised.

Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho

He said: "Ronaldinho told me he was going to Manchester,"

"He kept saying to me, 'Come to Manchester!' I wanted to go, but I was reluctant because I didn't speak English and United didn't have any Portuguese speakers.

"Ronaldinho persuaded me and I went to Manchester. But he didn't."

Kleberson flew under the radar at the west Manchester side and was soon shipped off to Turkish outfit Besiktas.

But this revelation from Ronaldinho has left us imagining just how much the Brazilian would've lighten up the Premier League with the Red Devils.

via GIPHY

If only.

Featured Image Credit: