Man United star Cristiano Ronaldo confesses that he came close to joining Arsenal.
Old Trafford ace almost opted for Gunners
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has confessed that he came close to joining Arsenal before moving to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo signed for United in a £12million move from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, but the Portugal international was 'within a whisker' of a move to North London instead.
The recently-crowned 2008 Ballon d'Or winner met Arsene Wenger on three occasions and he admits he holds a great deal of respect for the Gunners boss.
"I came within a whisker of doing it," Ronaldo told
France Football when asked about rumours that he was close to agreeing a deal at Arsenal five years ago.
"Wenger is someone I respect a lot. He is very intelligent."
Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo's agent, added: "That is what happened. Everyone wanted Cristiano; Real (Madrid), Juventus, Barcelona.
"But only Arsenal and Manchester United attempted to take him from there (Sporting Lisbon) that season. The others wanted to leave him at Sporting at least a year."
