Skip to content

Arsene Wenger: 'Biggest regret' was inability to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Reuters

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accomplished a fair bit during his lengthy career on the touchline.

Despite enduring a nine-year trophy drought at one point - ended with last season's victory in the FA Cup - the Frenchman has enjoyed an illustrious spell since arriving in London back in 1996.

Wenger has led the Gunners to eight major trophies, but revealed there is one thing he will always regret not being able to accomplish. And it may not be what you expect.

Speaking during a question and answer session organized by club sponsor Huawei, the 64-year-old singled out his inability to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the club as a major source of disappointment.

"My biggest regret? I was so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo, and not only did I not get him, he signed for Manchester United. So that of course still hurts today," he said, per ESPN FC.

The Portuguese superstar signed with the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in 2003. He led the club to four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown before Real Madrid made him the most expensive player in history (at the time), signing him for £80 million in 2009.

Wenger also reserved praise for another attacker that lit up the Premier League in previous years.

"I would have loved to have managed Didier Drogba for two reasons," he continued. "One, I missed him when he played in France at Le Mans, not even in the top league. I knew there was a good player there and I missed him.

"Secondly, because he hurt us so much in the big games. All this pain would not have happened (if he had joined Arsenal)."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox