"The decision was never in my hands" - When Ronaldo hinted at Barcelona forcing him to leave
In February 2020, striker Ronaldo Nazario hinted at Barcelona pushing him out of the Camp Nou after playing just one season. The 1996-97 season was arguably one of the best in the legendary Brazilian striker's career, as he scored a stunning 47 goals in just 49 games for them.
He won three trophies, clinching the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de Espana and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Barca had signed him from PSV for $19.5 million, which was a world-record fee at the time, and Ronaldo was widely expected to continue his career at Camp Nou.
However, contract renegotiation issues raised uncertainties around his future with the Blaugrana, and he left for Inter Milan in 1997. Ronaldo spoke about his exit from Barcelona in an interview with LaLiga 90 Aniversario four years ago, hinting that he was pushed out (via Marca):
"I had signed the contract renewing at the end of the season, and I went on a trip to Brazil, and after five days they called me to tell me that I couldn't continue with the renewal.
"It was never in my hands. I had the desire to continue. If the club didn't value me as I should, this decision was not in my hands. I would have liked to stay."
Ronaldo Nazario never returned to Barcelona to play, with the legendary forward continuing his career with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and eventually Corinthians.
Ronaldo Nazario also spoke about why he played for Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid
Ronaldo Nazario eventually went on to play for Barcelona's eternal rivals Real Madrid in 2002, spending five seasons. Speaking about his decision to play for the Spanish giants, he told LaLiga 90 Aniversario (via Marca):
"I went to Madrid because I wanted to play for Madrid. My dream was to play for Madrid one day, and I fought until the last moment to come. I played with Roberto Carlos in the Brazilian national team, and he told me everything that Madrid represented and what he experienced at Madrid.
"I went to Madrid, and the truth is that it was bigger than what Roberto said and than I could have imagined. Madrid, wherever it goes, is Real Madrid. There is great expectation and great pressure. The best players in the world are there. I loved knowing that I was huge and that I could help this club to be even bigger."
In his five years with Los Blancos, Ronaldo scored 103 goals and provided 34 assists in 177 appearances. However, he won just three trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu, including one La Liga title.