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Ex-Real Madrid president Calderon: Man Utd wanted to sell Ronaldo to Barcelona

Submitted by tribalfootball.com on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 06:24

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says Cristiano Ronaldo turned down Barcelona to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Calderon, who resigned as president at the beginning of last year, admitted Madrid would have been pipped to the post for Ronaldo's signature had the FIFA world player of the year not had such a strong desire to move to the Bernabeu.

The former Madrid chief also revealed that both the club and player accepted a clause which would have ensured a 30million euro fine had either of them pulled out of the deal.

"Cristiano reached an agreement on December 8 2008 with Manchester United to come to Real Madrid," Calderon told Spanish Eurosport.

"There was no negotiation about this, the signing was already done. I did my bit.

"The player, in a gesture of good faith and clear desire to come to Madrid, agreed to a clause which could have inflicted a financial penalty of 30 million euros.

"But then Barcelona and Inter Milan tried to sign him too. It was a difficult situation because for United that would have solved the problem.

"It's very well known that Alex Ferguson is not a friend of Real Madrid, does not see Madrid in good light because they are sporting rivals, in trophies and European competition.

"If he had gone to Barcelona it would have been very good because it would have allowed them to resolve that problem and would have taken away a great player from Real Madrid.

"But you have to say that the player remained firm and decisive in not going to another club that wasn't Real Madrid.

"He rejected them and that is certain."

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Comments (15)

Submitted by Frontal Lobotomy (not verified) on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 15:20.

Fergie's dislike of Real Madrid has never been from a sporting point of view. It's the fact they they're constantly tapping up our players, which in it self is not a sporting thing to do. Come the summer you'll be wanting Rooney, Vidic and Evra - None of these are going to happen.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 15:06.

we sold him to real madrid because we pitied them

Submitted by lfc 18+5 = historical success (not verified) on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 13:28.

well, too bad man united is a low class brothel

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