Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier “almost choked” on his lunch after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled as a new Manchester United signing in 2003. When Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP, he was a fresh-faced winger, full of stepovers. In his six years under Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo won eight major honours, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League, before leaving to become Real Madrid ’s all-time top goal scorer.
The Portuguese icon returned to his old club in 2021 but failed to galvanise a struggling United side. Ronaldo’s contract was cancelled the following October after criticising manager Erik ten Hag, paving the way for his move to Al-Nassr. However, back in 2003, there was a sliding doors moment that could have reshaped Ronaldo’s entire career.
Liverpool believed they had agreed a £4million deal to sign a teenage Ronaldo from Sporting. Former assistant coach Phil Thompson recalled going to dinner with Ronaldo’s agent in Lisbon to iron out the details, only for the forward to join the Reds’ bitter rivals.
“I can still remember Tony's exact words. It was all very nice and relaxed,” Thompson told The Athletic. “It's £4 million and it can be paid over the four years of his contract, so £1 million a year. That seemed very reasonable. Then I asked about the salary and Tony told me it was £1 million a year, net.”.
Thompson had some reservations about Ronaldo’s wage demands, but the winger had a growing reputation, with Liverpool already fighting off the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Arsenal for his signature. While personal terms still needed to be finalised, Thompson left Lisbon believing the club had a deal in place, only to be shocked a few months later.
