Ronaldo confirms he held shock talks to buy BRENTFORD in 2017 before turning his attention to Real Valladolid
FOOTBALL icon Ronaldo has revealed he was once “very close” to buying Brentford.
The 46-year-old two-time World Cup winner held shock talks to buy the Bees back in 2017.
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo once came close to buying BrentfordAFP
Ronaldo is now majority owner at Real Valladolid and CruzeiroGetty
He approached the now Premier League side when they were still in the Championship.
In the end Ronaldo became majority owner of La Liga side Real Valladolid in 2018, before buying Brazilian second-tier side Cruzeiro in 2021.
He has built an incredible business empire since hanging up his boots in 2011, with American side Fort Lauderdale
But when he was on the lookout for a European club in 2017 while living in London, Ronaldo sensationally came close to taking over at Brentford.
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He told GMB today: “I was very close to buying Brentford, five or six years ago.
“I was very close to doing the deal.”
Just four years later the Bees earned promotion to the top-flight for the first time since 1947.
And they have gone from strength to strength under Danish gaffer Thomas Frank.
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Speaking about their recent success, Ronaldo admitted: “They are doing very well, but I can’t complain about my way. I’ve done a beautiful job with Real Valladolid and now I have Cruzeiro.
“So I have two clubs, two problems, so I don’t have peace[ful] weekends!”
The Athletic today reported talks between Ronaldo’s representatives and Brentford had gone ahead in 2017.
Current owner Matthew Benham was open to investment at the time and held talks with a number of potential investors.
However, it’s claimed Benham and Ronaldo’s representatives were not close in their valuations and therefore failed to agree terms.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank guided the Bees to the Premier League in 2017Richard Pelham / The Sun
