Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo visited Arsenal before signing for Manchester United, it has been revealed.
The Daily Star says Ronaldo, who faces the USA today in a vital match for Portugal, was set to join Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon 11 years ago.
He was actually in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's office to discuss the £12 million move.
But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a direct approach to Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, to hijack the deal.
At United he won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, the European Cup and a Club World Cup.
With Real, he has again won the Champions League - as he did with United - and the Ballon D'Or World Player of the Year award.
