The day Deportivo de La Coruña bid for Ronaldo

One of the best footballers in the world and in the history of football made his first steps as a professional in Portugal. It was at Sporting Lisbon that the forward began to catch the eye of the biggest clubs in Europe. 

Among those courting the youngster, according to an interview with Augusto Cesar Lendoiro in 'Idolos', was Deportivo de Coruña.

"Beci, the technical secretary at the time, went to see Cristiano play and told us about him. From there we watched videos of him at 17 to 18 years of age and asked for a price", Lendoiro recalls.

However Sporting demanded 12 million euros, a price which Deportivo deemed too much.

"The party was ended because we could not reach those price levels. Cristiano was a boy and we didn't know what would happen, then Manchester United arrived and paid the 12 million euros", Lendoiro concluded.