10 Players Who Rejected Real Madrid

The idea that someone would reject Real Madrid once would be crazy. To reject them twice is unthinkable. Whoever rejects them three times surely must be classed as insane. Though if you are the world’s best player playing for an all-conquering Barcelona sides, winning trophy after trophy in a relentless cycle, along with numerous personal awards, then OK, that is acceptable.

The first attempt was made when Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly on the verge of a transfer to Manchester City in 2011. Unfazed by the rejection and equally worried with Ronaldo’s non-committal to a new contract, Florentino Perez’s allegedly instructed Real officials to make a new approach to Messi. Once again, the officials were told: “thanks for the offer but Leo isn’t moving.”

Still, Perez refused to relent in his desire to claim the 5-time Ballon D’Or’s signature. Motivated this time by Barça’s utter dominance of Real domestically and Europe, the president sent another executive to try and coax Messi away from the side, who had just recently won the treble. For a third time, the answer came back unequivocally: 'no!'.

So, unfortunately, the chance to see Messi and Ronaldo work in the same team, seems destined to only be present in FIFA Ultimate Team’s and in our dreams.