Paul Scholes: 'Ballon d'Or Winner Rejected Man Utd - So We Kicked Lumps Out Of Him'

 Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes shared the pitch with some of the best players in world football during his remarkable career at Old Trafford, which was decorated with 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.

From Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney up front to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back, Scholes always had world-class teammates playing alongside him, helping lead the Red Devils to a plethora of major honours both in England and Europe.

However, on some occassions, Man United were unlucky when chasing top-class players during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, and Scholes once pointed to a particular case where a Ballon d'Or winner rejected a move to Old Trafford in favour of a switch to Barcelona.

Paul Scholes Disappointed by Ronaldinho

‘He ended up changing his mind’

Scholes, speaking on the Savage Social podcast in 2020, claimed Ronaldinho was just days away from joining the Red Devils in 2003 and that, when he ultimately chose Barcelona, Man United players were left disappointed and targeted the Brazilian during a pre-season game:

“I remember two or three that were possibly coming. I think the one that stands out is Ronaldinho.

“He was away on pre-season and we were as close as announcing him and giving him a number but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona.

“It's strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour.

“We were all excited - Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he's going to bring something special.

“Almost like what Eric Cantona brought to the team. Then, three days later, we're playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn't sign for us.

“It was disappointing but I was lucky enough to play with some great players and he'd have just been another unbelievable player I'd played with, but it just never happened.”

Ferguson was reportedly a big fan of Ronaldinho while he was still at Paris Saint-Germain, although the Brazilian's decision to choose the Nou Camp over Old Trafford ultimately worked out well for both parties.

United went on to sign a promising teenager by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo in the same summer of 2003, while Ronaldinho became one of the best players in world football and won multiple major honours during his time at Barcelona.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Ronaldinho scored 94 goals and provided 69 assists in 207 appearances for Barcelona.

The Brazilian forward won the Ballon d'Or in 2005, as well as the Champions League title in 2005/06, two La Liga trophies and two Spanish Supercups during his five-year stint with the Catalans.

The 2002 World Cup winner departed the Nou Camp in 2008 for AC Milan, where he became an Italian champion in 2010/11 and played alongside former Man United midfielder David Beckham.