Former Manchester United target Cicinho has expressed regret on social media for once turning down a move to Old Trafford from Sir Alex Ferguson.
The now-retired Brazilian right-back revealed that he was close to signing for Manchester United in 2005 before the intervention of Roberto Carlos.
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Left-back great Carlos called up Cicinho and convinced him to join Real Madrid at the eleventh hour.
Recounting the saga on Instagram, the 41-year-old Cicinho jokingly apologized to Ferguson but admitted he couldn’t turn down the chance to be part of Madrid’s star-studded line-up.
He wrote: “Today is the 16th anniversary of my introduction to @realmadrid.
“Sorry Sir Alex Ferguson, but in 2005 @officialrc3 (Roberto Carlos) called Cicinho and in the moment I had to answer.
“He asked me if I wanted to come and play with him for the Galacticos.
“Going to Manchester United was almost fine for me, but how could I not say no to the chance to be friends with Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, (Zinedine) Zidane, (Luis) Figo, (David) Beckham, Robinho, Raul , Julio Baptista , (Iker) Casillas, Sergio Ramos etcetera?”
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Cicinho eventually chose Madrid instead of Manchester, signing for a reported £3.5 million from Brazilian outfit So Paulo.
But it was Ferguson who had the last laugh, as Cicinho was sent off to Roma after just 18 months and 32 appearances for the club.
He won a LaLiga title playing alongside the famous Galacticos, but failed to really establish himself in a side full of legends of the sport.
Cicinho was capped 15 times by the Brazilian, but a promising career faded into mediocrity after his stop-start time in Madrid.
While at Roma he had spells with Villarreal and former club So Paulo on loan, before joining Turkish side Sivasspor once again linked-up with old pal Carlos.
But the former defender should be left wondering what could have happened if he was signed on the dotted line with Manchester United.
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