Sports
Secret role Ronaldo played in bringing twins to Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, played a pivotal role in securing the signings of twin full-backs, Rafael and Fabio da Silva, for Manchester United, ahead of their rivals, Arsenal.
The legendary footballer, known as ‘CR7,’ was enlisted by then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to convince the young talents to join the club.
Rafael da Silva recently shared his story on the UTD Podcast, recalling the moment when he received a phone call from Cristiano Ronaldo as a teenager.
According to Rafael, the call left a lasting impression, as he received an international call with all zeros on the screen. He was initially unsure who the caller was but recognized Ronaldo, with whom he had trained before.
Rafael vividly recalled Ronaldo’s words during the call:
“He just said: ‘Ah, [Portuguese greeting].’ I ran to my bus saying: ‘It’s Ronaldo, it’s Ronaldo! He’s calling us to speak!’ He just said: ‘It’s raining here, it’s raining here in Manchester, like you know.’ He said: ‘I call to say to you guys: sign for Manchester United. I know you are going to like it,’ et cetera. I could not believe [it]. It was amazing.”
Fabio da Silva had a similar story to share in 2020, highlighting how Ronaldo not only influenced their decision to join Manchester United but also helped them overcome language barriers and build their confidence while playing for one of the world’s most prominent football clubs.
Rafael da Silva would go on to become Manchester United’s starting right-back after the retirement of Gary Neville, winning three Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford.
However, he left the club in 2015 after falling out of favor under manager Louis van Gaal.
Fabio, on the other hand, received one Premier League medal in the 2010-2011 season and spent time on loan at Queen’s Park Rangers. He eventually transferred to Cardiff City in 2014.
