BREAKING NEWS: Cristiano Ronaldo has turned down a transfer offer from Barcelona worth €50 million today!

Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that Barcelona contacted him regarding a possible transfer to Catalonia before he chose to join Manchester United in 2003. Having emerged as a spaghetti-haired sensation in Sporting CP’s first team during the 2002/03 season, Ronaldo caught the eye of clubs across Europe. There were rumors of deals with clubs like Juventus and Valencia. Ultimately, United secured his signature for £12m after he delivered an impressive performance in a friendly at the opening of the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

United already had a longstanding connection with Ronaldo and ultimately fast-tracked an existing agreement that dated back to 2004. Barcelona were not willing to advance their deal. “Yes, it was when I was playing at Sporting, and I had the chance to join several clubs, one of which was Barcelona,” Ronaldo told El Chiringuito in an exclusive interview. “I remember being with someone from Barcelona who wanted to sign me, but it didn’t happen. Maybe they intended to bring me in, but it would have been for the following year. Then a club like Manchester United came in and signed me right away. You know how quickly everything moves in football.”

Barcelona had recently secured Ronaldinho’s signing, outmaneuvering Manchester United for the future Brazilian star’s signature after offloading David Beckham to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese sensation would later join Real Madrid, Barcelona’s arch-rivals, intensifying the fierce rivalry between Spain’s two giants as he constantly challenged Lionel Messi for the title of ‘best player in the world’.

Playing in the Camp Nou was a joy for me. Ronaldo insisted, “They booed me, they insulted me, and I loved that.”

“I found scoring goals at Camp Nou more enjoyable than at Santiago Bernabeu. The part I love is when you’re warming up and they’re already booing you. That’s the best aspect of football for me.” This perspective is supported by Ronaldo’s performance against Barcelona. The Madrid legend netted 14 times in 17 matches at Camp Nou, while he managed just six goals in 17 games outside Catalonia.