Cristiano Ronaldo recently disclosed that he had offered his services to Manchester City, only to be firmly rejected by Pep Guardiola. This revelation comes from an excerpt in Guardiola’s new book.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the book details: ‘Ronaldo made himself available to City last summer, but Pep wasn’t interested. While Guardiola acknowledges Ronaldo’s exceptional finishing skills and remarkable fitness, he questioned how such a high-profile player would fit into the meticulously crafted system he has built at City.
Guardiola apparently felt that Ronaldo would not fit into the meticulous style of play he has built for Manchester City, even after the club’s failed attempt to sign a top striker in Harry Kane.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, commented on the situation in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022: “Honestly, [a move to City] was close. We spoke a lot and [Manchester boss] Guardiola said two weeks ago that they tried very hard to bring me.
“But as you know, my story is at Manchester United. Your heart, your feelings are as they were before, and that made the difference. And of course, also Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a conscious decision because the heart speaks loudly at that moment.
“I think [talking to Ferguson] was the key. I wouldn’t say Manchester City wasn’t close. But I think I made a conscious decision. I don’t regret it at any point. And as you mentioned before, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key. I spoke to him… He said ‘There’s no way you’re going to Manchester City’. And I said ‘OK, Boss’.
“So, I made the decisions and I repeat: I was aware that it was a good decision.”