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Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he was close to joining Arsenal before Manchester United

Ronaldo revealed that the story could well have been very different as he was close to joining Arsenal prior to his contract with Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he was close to joining Arsenal before Manchester United

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball over Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier during the International Champions Cup football match between Atletico Madrid v Juventus on August 10, 2019 in Solna outside Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Erik SIMANDER / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP)

It is a widely known fact that Portugal football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had joined Premier League giants Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in the year 2003. However, in a latest revelation, Ronaldo revealed that the story could well have been very different as he was close to joining Arsenal.

In a recent interview on ITV with the well-known interviewer Piers Morgan, Ronaldo revealed that he was in fact pretty close to joining Arsenal instead of Manchester United back in the year 2003 and even had a conversation regarding the same with the then manager Arsene Wenger.

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“It’s true. (I came) very close, one step away. Incredible. They’re a fantastic club,” CR7 said.

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“It didn’t happen, but I appreciate that they did for me, especially Arsene Wenger

“You know football, you never know where you’re going to play. The life is like that,” he added.

“It’s part of my sacrifice, my obsession to win, to have success. When I say success, I have worked for that. Talent is not enough, I dedicate so much that this is part of me, records are part of me.”

“I don’t follow the records, the records follow me. I’m addicted to the success, and I don’t think it’s something bad, I think it’s good. It motivates me. If you’re not motivated, it’s better to stop,” he concluded.

Eventually, Ronaldo was drafted in the Manchester United squad and went on to rule the football world under the great Sir Alex Ferguson. He then later went to join Real Madrid and is now part of the Juventus squad.

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