Ex-Premier League club drooled over Cristiano Ronaldo before Manchester United beat Arsenal and other suitors
Charlton were alongside Manchester United and Arsenal monitoring Cristiano Ronaldo before his famous move to the Premier League.
An old report from 2002 has been dug up by Addicks fans on social media this month, which has been confirmed to talkSPORT, leaving them wondering what could have been.
6
6
Charlton, who are currently fighting their way out of League One under ex-Luton boss Nathan Jones, were once part of the furniture in the Premier League, first being promoted there in 1998 and then again in 2000.
The south Londoners even challenged for Europe in 2004 under club legend Alan Curbishley. However, they slumped to relegation in 2007 and have been left reminiscing over their days in the top flight since.
But during their time competing with the best of the best, the Addicks were at the same table as some of the biggest club’s in the country when it came to scouting out the world's most promising talent.
And unbeknown to a majority of fans, that included the pursuit of Ronaldo.
MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
Rewind to 2002 and the Portuguese attacker was an awkward teenager, playing for Sporting Lisbon and representing his country at under-21 level.
But despite being at the very start of what would turn into being one of the most successful footballing careers in the sport's history, Ronaldo’s abilities caught the eye of footballing giants.
That of course included his future club, Manchester United.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson and co had potential competition on their hands - and it wasn’t just from Premier League foes Arsenal.
Most read in Football
Instead, it was the Gunners’ London rivals Charlton that were in attendance to watch Ronaldo in action for Portugal under-21s against Greece in November 2002.
At the time, Sky Sports reported Man United were ready to use a proposed new partnership with Sporting to attempt to lure Ronaldo and their other impressive winger and fellow Portugal starlet Ricardo Quaresma to Old Trafford.
6
6
But they also stated the Addicks, who went on to finish 12th in the Premier League that season, had also watched the duo in action against Greece and in Sporting’s game against Moreirense.
Ronaldo and Quaresma’s performances had Charlton’s scouts ‘drooling’ according to the report.
Addicks overseas coordinator Jeff Vetere, a former Luton youth player who later went on to work for Real Madrid, was the representative present.
Al Nassr and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo shows of his water sports skills as he enjoys his down time on holiday
Celta Vigo, Chievo, Lens, Parma and Feyenoord scouts were also present.
However, Charlton’s identified targets in that game were unclear.
The Addicks were, after all, competing with a club that had won four of the last five Premier League titles.
Former loanee Jorge Costa played in defence for Porto, but he was not linked with a return to The Valley.
It’s likely the Addicks - who have a history for bringing through and developing youngsters - would have been impressed by Ronaldo and his teammate, though.
Arsenal had been keeping tabs on the Portuguese winger, and seemed to be on the verge of signing the then 18-year-old in the summer of 2003.
Arsene Wenger was very keen on making a move happen, as was former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein.
However, Ronaldo went on to sign for their rivals Manchester United in August 2003.
6
“We have been negotiating for Cristiano for quite some time,” Ferguson said at the time, as per . “But the interest in him from other clubs accelerated in the last few weeks so we had to move quickly to get him.”
Ronaldo went on to have two spells with Man United, making 346 appearances for them in total, netting 145 goals and grabbing 64 assists.
He won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Club World Cup and one Community Shield in his first spell with the Red Devils.
Ronaldo played against Arsenal and Charlton numerous times in that period, scoring nine against the Gunners times in his career and once against the Addicks.
6
The Madeira-born star was sold to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record £80 million transfer fee.
He has won five Champions Leagues, two Spanish titles, two Serie A titles with Juventus and claimed the Ballons d’Or five times amongst his 33 total trophies.
Read More on talkSPORT
Now 39, Ronaldo is in the twilight stage of his career with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr.
What could have been Charlton fans, hey?
Topics