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."
