Sports Desk:

Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he was close to joining Barcelona before signing for Manchester United in 2003. The Portuguese legend’s revelation has left fans stunned, considering his iconic rivalry with Barça during his Real Madrid years.

Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo made a stunning revelation that he was close to joining FC Barcelona from Sporting Lisbon (now Sporting CP) before making his landmark move to Manchester United in 2003. Speaking to El Chiringuito de Jugones, Ronaldo recalled how he was initially scouted by Barcelona, but ultimately chose United, where he played under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

Currently dominating the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s career has seen him play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now in Saudi Arabia. However, his revelation about Barcelona’s early interest has taken many fans by surprise, considering his legendary rivalry with the Catalan giants during his years at Real Madrid.

“Yes, it was when I was playing at Sporting Lisbon and I had the opportunity to join various clubs, one of which was Barcelona,” Ronaldo said.

“I remember being with a person from Barcelona who wanted to sign me, but it didn’t happen. Maybe they wanted to bring me in, but it would have been for the following year. Then, a club like came along and signed me immediately. You know how fast everything moves in football,” he added.

Ronaldo’s first spell at Manchester United lasted six years, where he transformed from a talented youngster into a global superstar. Scoring 84 goals as a winger, he won multiple Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League before making his record-breaking move to Real Madrid in 2009.

At Madrid, Ronaldo cemented his status as a footballing legend, scoring a staggering 451 goals in 438 appearances across all competitions. He became the all-time top goalscorer for Los Blancos and played a crucial role in their historic dominance in Europe, winning four Champions League titles with the club.

A BARCELONA MOVE? UNTHINKABLE NOW, BUT A POSSIBILITY THEN

Given his fierce rivalry with Barcelona during his time in La Liga, the idea of Ronaldo once donning the Blaugrana colours seems unimaginable. His El Clásico battles against Lionel Messi and Barcelona defined an era of football, making this revelation even more fascinating.

Ronaldo’s admission is a reminder of how unpredictable football can be. Had he taken a different path, history might have looked entirely different—with Cristiano Ronaldo possibly playing alongside Ronaldinho and Xavi instead of becoming Real Madrid’s greatest-ever goalscorer.