- Tottenham ignored advice to sign Cristiano Ronaldo
- Ronny Rosenthal urged club hierarchy
- Comments on main issue with Spurs squad right now
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest to play football, often mentioned alongside Lionel Messi, Pelé, and Diego Maradona.
The Portuguese was not a late bloomer, and it was clear to all who watched him from a young age that he was set for the very top. The winger’s debut for Sporting CP’s first team brought him more attention, as clubs across Europe sent scouts to watch him.
Arsenal and Barcelona have been regularly mentioned as the clubs that failed to sign him from Sporting CP before he moved to Manchester United. Now, Tottenham have also entered the category of clubs that missed out on the superstar.
Tottenham ignore advice to sign Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Tottenham forward Ronny Rosenthal has revealed that he urged the club hierarchy to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2002. He claims that the winger was suggested to the North London side soon after he played his first few games for the Portuguese side, but they did not make a move.
He told FlashScore, “I saw Cristiano in his second or third game for Sporting’s first team, and I immediately alerted Tottenham, but they didn’t follow it up.”
Rosenthal credits himself for finding the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Vincent Kompany, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, saying that the clubs who listened to him managed to snap up the best talent before the bigger clubs swooped in.
“I already understood that speed would be the name of the game. It’s why I discovered players like Samuel Eto’o, Cristiano Ronaldo, Vincent Kompany, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and many more, because I was looking for the top sprinters in football.”
Ronaldo went on to have two stints at Manchester United, joining in 2003 before leaving for Real Madrid six years later. He then rejoined in 2021, only to leave in 2022 following a fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Rosenthal comments on Tottenham’s current issues
Rosenthal spoke about Tottenham’s relegation battle, admitting it was a crazy situation. He hopes the win over Aston Villa is the turning point in the season and that they stay up, adding that Roberto De Zerbi has identified how to get the most out of his players.
However, he believes that the current squad does not have enough pace and that has been a key reason why they have failed to dominate matches.
“Tottenham don’t have enough speed in the side. Under Postecoglou, they played fantastic, amazing football with good combinations, but don’t forget, Son was there, and he’s not there anymore.
“So you have something a little bit similar to the upcoming Salah situation at Liverpool. Tottenham don’t have wingers or players with electrifying pace, and that’s precisely what they do need.”
Tottenham face Leeds United on Monday and could be back in the relegation zone before kick-off if West Ham United beat Arsenal on Sunday.
