How Real Madrid poached Cristiano Ronaldo after ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Sir Alex

Posted Thursday, August 26, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Ronaldo joined La Liga giants Madrid in 2009, but the move only happened because the superstar made a gentleman's agreement with legendary Manchester United manager Ferguson

Real Madrid were reportedly able to poach Cristiano Ronaldo after the superstar made a gentleman’s agreement with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo became a star with Manchester United after moving to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon, developing into one of the best players in the world.

The Portuguese international’s talents had not gone unnoticed by La Liga giants Madrid, who had long eyed a move for the United star as he continued to impress.

Red Devils boss Ferguson, though, had a tempestuous relationship with Los Blancos, even once stating that he would never sell a “virus” to “that mob”.

Cristiano Ronaldo made a gentleman's agreement with Sir Alex Ferguson in order to leave Manchester United

But according to The Athletic that did not deter the Spanish side, who consistently attempted to ‘chip away’.

It is stated that Madrid steadily ramped up the pressure over time, beginning in 2006 following Ronaldo’s feud with United team-mate Wayne Rooney in the 2006 World Cup.

Ronaldo infamously ‘winked’ after Rooney had been sent off in the quarter-final match between England and Portugal, which the Three Lions went on to lose following a penalty shoot-out.

With Ronaldo eager to move to the Santiago Bernabeu, Ferguson finally relented and agreed to let the attacker leave Old Trafford.

How Real Madrid poached Cristiano Ronaldo after ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Sir Alex
Ronaldo ultimately joined Real Madrid for a then-world record fee

The Athletic state that Ferguson made a “gentleman’s agreement” with Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes in 2008 to allow the player to move on.

That agreement had one major condition to it though – that Ronaldo should stay for one more season before finally joining Los Blancos.

The Portuguese star did just that, scoring 26 goals in 53 games as United won the Premier League and FA Cup double.

His final game for the club came in the 2009 Champions League final, in which the Red Devils were defeated by Barcelona.

How Real Madrid poached Cristiano Ronaldo after ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Sir Alex
He spent one more season at United, with his final game coming in the 2009 Champions League final