WHEN SPORTING LISBON OFFERED CRISTIAO RONALDO TO BARCELONA IN 2003.

According to the DAILY MAIL the Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon had a young footballer called Cristiano Ronaldo was playing, now the club wanted to sell him to generate funds so his agent Mr Jorge Mendes spoke to the president of Barcelona Mr Jun LaPorte in august 2003. But Barcelona in the year 2003 , were rebuilding their team and they had purchased Ronaldinho , Marques, and Qurasma. Sporting Lisbon were demanding a sum of 17, seventeen million Euros or the youngster. But then Juan LaPorte and the Barcelona manager then Franck Raijkard then decided that instead of spending money on a new player they would instead rely entirely on the youngster that their famous youth academy had produced THE LA MASSIA, or the castle. His name was Lionel Messi, he has served Barcelona well , he has wo a total of 160 one hundred and sixty trophies for Barcelona, he has won four Champion League Cups as well. He has also won five Balloon 'D'OR s in five years the only footballer to do this, only Cristiano Ronaldo as also won five Balloon d"Or as well but not in five years in a row. But people ask one question often do Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo get along well? And the answer is they are very good friends on and off the pitch, such is their friendship that they even go on a holiday together. But one thing is clear footballers like these two ICONS come once in a lifetime and can not be copied. But then Manchester United paid two million pounds more then what was offered for him and brought him.