REVEALED: Cristiano Ronaldo dodged questions on whether he would one day join Man City six years ago by insisting he doesn’t play for money… as that reality now moves closer amid reports Juventus star is edging towards deal with United’s rivals
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to be drawn on whether he could join Manchester City six years ago.
The Juventus star has been heavily linked with a shock move to the Premier League champions and reports in Portugal on Thursday claimed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has agreed personal terms with City.
An interview from 2015 has emerged where Ronaldo dodged questions on whether he could play for Manchester United’s rivals one day as that reality appears to edge closer.
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) refused to be drawn on whether he could join Man City six years ago amid reports the Juventus star is edging towards a deal with Pep Guardiola’s (R) side
The 36-year-old insisted playing football was not about the financial gain when asked if he could be persuaded to make the move to the Etihad.
‘You think the money is going to change my mind now?’ he told the BBC.
‘I don’t think so. I think it is not going to be the problem, because if you will speak about the money, I will go to Qatar.
‘[They] maybe have more money than Manchester City, but it’s not about the money. It’s about the passion.’
Ronaldo scored 118 goals and supplied 69 assists in 292 appearances across a trophy-laden six-year spell at United between 2003 and 2009.
Reports in Italy earlier this week reported that City had offered the former United star a two-year deal worth £230,000 per week after missing out on Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals and supplied 69 assists in 292 appearances across a trophy-laden six-year spell at City’s rivals Man United between 2003 and 2009
Sportsmail also understands the ex-Real Madrid forward was offered to Pep Guardiola’s side in a £25million deal earlier this month.
Ronaldo signed for Juventus in a mega-money move from Real Madrid in 2018, but now has less than a year left on his contract at the Serie A giants.
Paris Saint-Germain were also sounded out as an option for Ronaldo but with Lionel Messi already in their ranks that potential switch has failed to gather any serious momentum.
It’s been reported that Ronaldo expressed his desire to exit after asking to be benched for their clash with Udinese last weekend. Massimiliano Allegri denied this while Juve vice-chairman Pavel Nedved doubled down on Allegri’s bullish comments.
‘We’ve decided together with Ronaldo. It’s normal. Ronaldo will 100 per cent stay,’ he told DAZN.
