Chelsea Missed Chance to Sign Ronaldo for €3.5M, Claims Agent

Football representative Barry Silkman has disclosed that Chelsea turned down the opportunity to acquire Cristiano Ronaldo for a mere €3.5 million.

Ronaldo’s Stellar Career

Ronaldo, boasting an impressive tally of 954 goals throughout his career, is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and is set to be remembered as a football icon in the coming years.

Continued Success at Al-Nassr

Despite being 40 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient continues to excel at Al-Nassr, contributing to the Saudi Pro League team and the Portugal national squad. However, his career could have taken a different direction, as revealed by Silkman in an interview with The Telegraph.

The Deal That Didn’t Happen

Silkman recounted, “I was in negotiations with (Ronaldo’s agent) Jorge Mendes. Chelsea ultimately declined the offer. Ronaldo was available for €3.5 million, and any excess would be split 50-50 with the club.”

He further noted, “After a pre-season match against Manchester United, where he dominated, they promptly paid €11.5 million, and Jorge likely pocketed an additional €4 million. I was really disappointed!”

Had Ronaldo transferred to Chelsea, his trajectory might have differed, as he went on to thrive at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson before moving to Real Madrid.

Insights on Ronaldo’s Modern Trajectory

Silkman expressed his belief that if Ronaldo were entering the sport today, his journey would not be as smooth.

“If Cristiano Ronaldo were coming into the game now, he might struggle to get signed by Barnsley due to his style. Coaches are saying, ‘What are you doing? All these stepovers and tricks? Just pass the ball!’”

He criticized contemporary coaching methods: “The focus is so heavily on avoiding mistakes. I’ve observed many young coaches, and to call it subpar would be generous. The directive is constantly, ‘pass, pass, pass’ instead of encouraging players to take chances, drop a shoulder, or attempt a trick.”