Clarence Seedorf has revealed he turned down a move to Manchester United on two occasions, driven by his desire to play alongside Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario. The four-time Champions League winner admitted he missed the opportunity to play in England but prioritized teaming up with R9 at Inter Milan.
Seedorf's Premier League Regret
In an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Seedorf said: "The only thing that I missed was playing in England, in this sense. I almost twice to come to you guys [Manchester United]." He explained that early in his career, Spain and Italy were the top destinations, but the Premier League later became the best league. However, by then he was committed to AC Milan, where he spent 10 years.
Interest from Top Clubs
Seedorf confirmed that Arsenal, Manchester United, and Real Madrid all showed interest when he was at Sampdoria. After his stint at Real Madrid, the same clubs pursued him again, but he chose Inter Milan. When Ferdinand asked why he opted for Inter over United, Seedorf replied: "R9 was playing at Inter." He added that coach Marcello Lippi called him, saying: "I want you to come and play behind Christian Vieri and Ronaldo. I said when and where? I need to present myself."
Iconic Clubs
Seedorf acknowledged his admiration for English football, stating: "If there's any club in England, most likely the three, because I grew up watching the Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal. These were like iconic clubs. And so I would have loved to." Despite this, his desire to play alongside Ronaldo Nazario ultimately shaped his career path.
