Liverpool Legend Jamie Carragher Reveals Reds Thought They Had Cristiano Ronaldo Hours Before He Joined Manchester United 21 Years Ago
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and his journey to Manchester United is a fascinating one. In a recent interview, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher revealed that the Reds thought they had the Portuguese superstar hours before he joined the Red Devils 21 years ago.
The Portuguese winger was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £12 million at the age of 18 in August 2003. Ronaldo went on to become one of the club’s all-time great players, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or during his six-year spell at Old Trafford.
However, Carragher, who faced Ronaldo on numerous occasions during his playing days, claims that Liverpool believed they had the forward before the move to Manchester United was announced. Speaking on The Overlap, a popular football podcast, Carragher said: "When he actually signed for United, I think we were in for him. That was when Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson – Phil Thompson tells the story that he thought we had him."
Carragher’s revelation is a fascinating insight into what could have been. It’s intriguing to think about how Ronaldo’s career might have panned out if he had joined Liverpool instead of Manchester United. Would he have become an even greater player under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish or Rafa Benitez?
Despite not signing Ronaldo, Liverpool have had their fair share of success in the years since. The Reds have won numerous domestic and international trophies, including the Champions League in 2019. However, Carragher’s comments highlight the what-ifs of football, and it’s fascinating to think about how the sport might have evolved if Ronaldo had joined Liverpool.
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