Manchester United were extremely close to signing Ronaldinho in 2003. Had it not been for David Beckham leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid, the silky Brazilian would have gone on to join Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Things could have been very different, but the Reds, to their credit, did everything possible to recruit the attacker.
Despite winning the 2002/03 league title, it was evident that change was coming at Old Trafford. It became clear that Beckham, after enjoying a hugely successful period in Manchester - albeit not without controversy - was going to leave the club. The rumours of disagreements between him and Sir Alex Ferguson intensified, and despite his value, both on and off the pitch, a move to Spain started to look increasingly likely for the English golden boy.
As with most high-profile stars, the lure of Barcelona and Real Madrid was too good to turn down. They were, in truth, the only two realistic options for the United man. Los Blancos had started their infamous Galacticos era and had already signed Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. While it was Madrid who eventually won the race for the England captain, Barcelona had certainly competed.
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In the summer of 2003, the Catalan giants held their presidential elections. Joan Laporta, who was thought to be the favourite candidate, and went on to be elected, had promised to sign one of three players: Beckham, Ronaldinho or Thierry Henry.
The confidence of the soon-to-be president didn't sit right with many people, but he went close to doing exactly what he said he was going to do.
Speaking to MARCA in 2017, Laporta said that he had agreed a deal in principle with United on the condition he won the presidency - admitting that an agreement was in place over personal terms with Beckham's representatives.
"We met at Heathrow Airport and signed a document which said that they [United] would sell him to us if we struck an agreement with the agent," Laporta said. "However, we didn't manage to do that. We went to Nice and stayed with him and he said he would think about it."
Despite the apparent agreement, it was Madrid who would secure Beckham's signature. They signed him for £25million that summer. The departure of one of the Reds' key men meant that United needed to strengthen, but replacing someone of his quality was not going to be easy.
The Reds, however, did identify a first-choice target. Ronaldinho, then of Paris Saint-Germain, was the player chosen to replace the England captain at Old Trafford. Having scored 25 goals and registered 17 assists in 77 appearances for the French outfit, he had already demonstrated that he was efficient. His jaw-dropping skill and infectious smile was simply a bonus.
United were close to completing a deal for the Brazilian winger, and Ferguson, writing in his autobiography, was confident that everything would go through as expected.
"I had agreed a deal to bring him to Old Trafford. Carlos Quieroz [United's assistant manager at the time] was there and would vouch for that. The attempt to buy Ronaldinho reflected the fact that United have always sported talismanic players," he wrote.
"I was always hunting for that kind of talent. My line of reasoning was, 'We're getting £25m for Beckham, and we're getting Ronaldinho for £19m. For God's sake, wake up. It was a steal."
Ferguson was not the only one who thought that Ronaldinho would be playing in a red shirt at Old Trafford. Legendary midfielder Paul Scholes also expected the Brazilian to sign for United, and with a squad number even lined up, you can't really blame him.
"I remember two or three that were possibly coming," Scholes recalled on the BBC’s Savage Social podcast in 2020. "I think the one that stands out is Ronaldinho. He was away on pre-season and we were as close as announcing him and giving him a number but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona.
"It's strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour. We were all excited - Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he's going to bring something special.
"Almost like what Eric Cantona brought to the team. Then, three days later, we're playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn't sign for us.
"It was disappointing but I was lucky enough to play with some great players and he'd have just been another unbelievable player I'd had played with, but it just never happened."
Barcelona, after missing out on signing Beckham, quickly switched focus to making a move of their own for Ronaldinho. Laporta's bid to become club president was backed by Sandro Rosell, who would serve as vice-president if they won.
The involvement of Rosell proved to be key, with the Spaniard contacting Ronaldinho to ask if he would join the club should Laporta become president. Ronaldinho agreed, despite having already said yes to United - according to Ferguson, that is. The claim is supported by his Brazilian teammate, Kleberson, who did end up joining the Red that summer after Ronaldinho assured him he would be joining him in England.
"When United’s interest in me was confirmed, I was with the national team in France for the FIFA Confederations Cup," Kleberson told FourFourTwo.
"I can remember it clearly: I was with Ronaldinho and his brother and agent, Assis. Ronaldinho said, 'They want to sign both of us.' I said, 'OK, let’s go, then!' I was so glad that he would be coming with me."
However, despite the fact that a transfer to United was extremely close to being finalised, Ronaldinho was told by Rosell that Laporta was set to win the presidential election at the Camp Nou. This news promoted a change of heart for the Brazilian, and he pulled out of a move to Old Trafford and signed for the Catalan club within days.
"Everything was beautiful and happened fast," Ronaldinho told El Enganche in 2014. "A great friend of mine was about to become a part of the Barcelona board: Sandro Rosell.
"Before the offers came, he had asked me if I would play in Barcelona when they won the election and became the presidents, and I had said 'Yes.'
"I was almost on my way to Manchester United and only the details needed to be put onto that deal. But in the last minute Rosell called me to tell me they would win the election. That made everything happen fast.
"I wanted to play in Barcelona. When I signed, I didn't feel pressure, I felt joy. I had the chance that all of the players wanted, to play in a great club like Barcelona.
"I had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my idols. I was proud to play where Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo had played and I had the chance to be Barcelona's new 'R.' I loved that."
While at Barcelona, Ronaldinho would go on to establish himself as the best player in the word. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and helped the Spanish club to Champions League glory the following year.
Although United missed out on a global superstar, they were able to recruit a teenage sensation from Sporting later that summer. The youngster had impressed in a pre-season clash between the two sides and was snapped-up by Ferguson. His career at Old Trafford would prove to be exceptional, even if it has just ended in a sour manner.
That player? Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously.
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