How Manchester United Signed Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, but his rise to stardom had a very unusual beginning. Long before he became a global icon, Ronaldo’s journey to Manchester United was sealed in one bizarre night of football.
What makes this story fascinating is how Manchester United’s own players convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Ronaldo immediately after playing against him. It was a moment that completely changed the history of modern football.
The Night Ronaldo Shocked Manchester United
In August 2003, Manchester United traveled to Lisbon for a pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon. The game seemed routine at first, but a young winger named Cristiano Ronaldo completely stole the show.
Ronaldo, only 18 years old at the time, humiliated United’s defenders with his speed, footwork, and trademark stepovers. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, and John O’Shea struggled to cope with his dribbling, leaving the United defense exposed on multiple occasions. The friendly, which was supposed to be a simple warm-up, turned into Ronaldo’s audition for the Premier League giants.
United Players Beg Sir Alex Ferguson
The bizarre twist came not on the pitch but on the plane ride home. According to Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand in multiple interviews, the Manchester United squad urged Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Ronaldo right away. They admitted they did not want to face him again.
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Gary Neville later recalled: “On the way back, we were saying to Sir Alex: you have to sign him, this kid is unbelievable.” Rio Ferdinand also confirmed that the players felt Ronaldo was too good to let slip away.
It was one of the rare occasions in football where the players themselves influenced a transfer decision and it proved to be one of the most important signings in Manchester United’s history.
The Quick Transfer That Changed History
Sir Alex Ferguson acted fast. Within days of that friendly, Manchester United secured Ronaldo’s signature for around £12 million. The deal shocked the football world, as very few had expected such a young player from Portugal to attract immediate attention from one of the biggest clubs in England.
Ronaldo went on to win three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and his first Ballon d’Or at Manchester United. That one bizarre night against United had set him on the path to becoming a football legend.
Why This Story Still Stands Out
What makes this story so bizarre is that it was not scouts, agents, or directors who pushed for the signing, it was the players themselves. Very rarely in football does a dressing room unite to demand the signing of an opponent.
This moment not only shaped Ronaldo’s career but also changed Manchester United’s legacy in the 2000s. Without that transfer, football history might have looked very different.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United in 2003 remains one of the most bizarre and unique stories in football. A friendly game turned into a career-defining night, with Manchester United’s players themselves pushing Sir Alex Ferguson to complete the deal.
What followed was the rise of one of the greatest players in football history, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected stories can change the game forever.
FAQs
Q1. When did Cristiano Ronaldo sign for Manchester United?
A. He signed in August 2003, shortly after playing against United in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon.
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Q2. How much did Manchester United pay for Ronaldo in 2003?
A. The transfer fee was around £12 million.
Q3. Which United players pushed Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Ronaldo?
A. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, and several others urged Ferguson on the flight back from Lisbon.
Q4. How old was Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined Manchester United?
A. He was only 18 years old.
Q5. Why is Ronaldo’s transfer story considered bizarre?
A. Because it was the rare case where opposition players directly convinced their manager to sign a player.
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