Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother has told how she became aware of her son’s intention to join Manchester United rather than rivals Manchester City.
The Portuguese superstar departed Juventus on transfer deadline day following a summer full of talk linking him with an exit from Italy.
It had been a mixed three years in Turin for the 36-year-old, winning two Serie A titles but failing to mount a serious Champions League challenge.
Ronaldo had also entered the final year of his contract at the Allianz Stadium, with Juve keen to bring in as high a fee as possible for a player who they had spent £100million on in 2018.
Did Ronaldo make the right decision to join Manchester United over Manchester City? Comment below.
With Real Madrid cutting costs and Paris Saint-Germain having signed Lionel Messi, the two Manchester clubs quickly emerged as the frontrunners to make a move for Ronaldo.
It had appeared that as late as the Friday morning before deadline day that City were in pole position to sign the superstar.
The Athletic reported that Ronaldo had even told his Juventus team-mates that City was his most likely destination as he headed to Lisbon for a medial and final talks.
But the prospect of seeing one of their modern-day legends join one of their biggest rivals proved too much to stomach for the United hierarchy.
The Red Devils launched a last-ditch attempt to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford and it was an attempt that proved to be successful.
By Friday evening, they had announced that they had agreed a fee with Juventus, with the deal finally completed on deadline day.
But before it was announced that it was United who had won the race to sign the superstar, he first called his mother, Dolores Aveiro.
And Aveiro has now revealed that the centre of that conversation was a reassurance from Ronaldo that a move to City was never on the cards.
“On the TV there was talk of Manchester City, but he said to me 'Mom, don't worry about what they're saying because I'm going to Manchester [United],” she told the ADN de Leão podcast.
“I said I liked that a lot and he pleased me.”
Much like his mother, Ronaldo himself was also delighted to be returning to the club where he became a star.
“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement,” he said when the deal was completed.
“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.
“I'm looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”
It has been a very successful homecoming so far for the 36-year-old, who has scored four goals in three games in all competitions for the Red Devils.
He is likely to be rested for the visit of West Ham in the Carabao Cup tonight, though should be back for the clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.
