Patrick Evra, former Manchester United teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, has disclosed that the Portuguese superstar almost joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2018, a move that would have dramatically altered the trajectory of his career.
Evra, who spent years alongside Ronaldo at both Manchester United and Juventus, revealed in an interview with RMC Sports that Ronaldo was on the brink of signing with PSG after his triumph with Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final.
However, despite the deal being reportedly close to completion, the transfer ultimately fell through, leaving Ronaldo to join Juventus instead.
“Did Cristiano ever want to come to PSG? Yes. This was before he signed with Juventus,” Evra shared, shedding light on what could have been a game-changing move for both PSG and the football world.
At the time, Ronaldo was fresh off winning his fifth Champions League trophy with Real Madrid and was contemplating his next career step.
According to Evra, the French club was not the only option on the table, with offers from several Premier League teams also in play.
However, PSG seemed to pique Ronaldo’s interest, with Evra elaborating that the forward was “interested in the Parisian project” but ultimately chose not to move to Paris.
While Evra did not disclose all the specific clubs involved in the race for Ronaldo’s signature, he made it clear that the legendary forward ruled out a move to Arsenal, further emphasizing his attraction to PSG.
The potential of a PSG team with Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Ronaldo as its attacking trio was a tantalizing prospect for football fans.
Many speculated that such a combination would have elevated PSG’s chances in Europe and perhaps even led them to a long-awaited Champions League title.
The addition of Ronaldo, a player renowned for his work ethic and determination, could have helped PSG reach new heights on the continental stage.
Despite the missed opportunity, Evra still defended Ronaldo’s ability to adapt to various teams and situations.
“People can criticize Cristiano, but he would have adapted. He would have made an effort,” Evra remarked, drawing attention to the forward’s recent success in Saudi Arabia, where he continues to excel with Al Nassr.
“Look at what he is doing in Saudi Arabia. He is a Saudi now,” he added, referencing Ronaldo’s significant influence on football in the Middle East.
Had the transfer materialized, a tantalizing matchup with Lionel Messi, another of football’s greatest talents, could have occurred in Ligue 1, adding even more intrigue to what could have been an extraordinary chapter in football’s recent history.
Instead, Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, where he spent three successful years, winning two Serie A titles and becoming the league’s top scorer before returning to Manchester United in 2021.
Following his second stint at United, Ronaldo eventually moved to Saudi Arabia, where he surpassed the 900-goal mark in 2024, further cementing his place in football history.
While PSG’s failed pursuit of Ronaldo remains a fascinating “what if” in football, it is clear that the player’s journey continues to be filled with milestones and remarkable achievements, no matter where he plays.
