Cristiano Ronaldo once harboured a dream of playing for French giants Paris Saint-Germain, a revelation made by Pascal Ferré, the former head of France Football. This insight into the Portuguese superstar’s past ambitions comes despite his more recent critical remarks about France’s top flight.
A Past Dream Revealed
The disclosure stems from a dinner held after Ronaldo secured his 2016 Ballon d’Or award. Ferré, who was present at the intimate gathering with around 15 to 20 France Football staff members, recounted the conversation with Ronaldo, who was then a Real Madrid player.
According to Ferré, Ronaldo confessed his aspiration to one day “come into the Parc des Princes with a PSG shirt and with 50,000 Portuguese supporters cheering me”. While Ferré noted a slightly jokey tone to the comment, he also believed there was a genuine element of truth to Ronaldo’s words.
At the time, Ronaldo was a pivotal figure for Real Madrid, having already achieved immense success with the Spanish club. The idea of him moving to PSG, even as a distant dream, offers a glimpse into his career considerations during that period.
A Contrasting View
This past ambition stands in stark contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo’s more recent public statements regarding Ligue 1. Since joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the forward has been openly critical of the French league.
In 2024, Ronaldo made a pointed comparison, stating: “The Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has Paris Saint-Germain. The rest are finished.” These comments highlight a significant shift in his perception of French football, making Ferré’s revelation about his earlier PSG dream all the more intriguing.
The former France Football head’s account provides a unique historical perspective on Ronaldo’s career, showcasing a potential path that ultimately never materialised for one of football’s most iconic figures.