Former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson has revealed how global superstar Ronaldinho tricked him into signing for the club and rebuffing the approaches of Leeds United.
Back in 2003, the World Cup winner from the 2002 World Cup in Brazil was heavily linked with a move to European football and Leeds were among the clubs eyeing his services.
However, after being told by Ronaldinho that he too would be moving to Old Trafford, Kleberson snubbed a move to Elland Road - but his compatriot never moved to English football.
"There were two clubs interested in signing me: Manchester United and Leeds. It was an easy choice, but there's a funny story about it too," he told FourFourTwo.
"When Manchester United's interest in me was confirmed, I was with the national team in France for the FIFA Confederations Cup. I remember it clearly, I was with Ronaldinho and his agent. He said they want to sign both of us, so I said ok, let's go then!
"I was so glad that he would be coming with me. I went back to Brazil and kept negotiating with Manchester United but then Ronaldinho fooled me and went to play in the warm weather at Barcelona. He sent me to Manchester. That's a joke between us until today. He knows that he owes me one."
While that could have been seen as a blow at the time, it may have actually been a blessing in disguise for the Whites as Kleberson managed just two years in Manchester before moving to Turkey, then returning to the other side of the Atlantic.
