Ronaldo has revealed that a dramatic change of position by Barcelona was the reason he decided to leave the club for Inter Milan in 1997, despite initially agreeing a new contract.
The former Brazil striker spent only one season at Barcelona but says he was happy at the club and had reached an agreement to continue his career there. However, he claims the relationship broke down after the Barcelona board withdrew its commitment only days later.
Ronaldo’s comments were published by Spanish newspaper Sport. Recalling the events that led to his departure, he said: “I was happy in Barcelona. My agent was there, and in the end they reached an agreement.”
He added: “They called me at the time and said to me: ‘Look, we have an agreement. You will stay with us on a new contract in Barcelona. We are very happy and Barcelona is happy.’”
According to Ronaldo, the situation changed completely three days after that conversation. Barcelona reportedly told him it could no longer complete the proposed deal and that he would be allowed to leave if another club paid the value of his release clause.
“After three days they called me and said: ‘Look, we cannot sign this contract with you. If you have the opportunity to leave, all you have to do is bring the money needed to pay the release clause, and then you can leave,’” Ronaldo said.
He explained that the reversal left him deeply disappointed and convinced him that he could no longer remain at Barcelona. The change in the club’s stance, rather than dissatisfaction with his footballing situation, prompted him to look for a way out.
“I said to them: ‘Look, I no longer feel comfortable continuing with Barcelona, because these people do not keep their word. So I want to leave,’” he said.
Inter Milan then emerged as the destination for the Brazil international. Ronaldo said the Italian club paid Barcelona the required fee, which he believed was about 40m euros at the time.
“Inter Milan came. They paid Barcelona, I think the amount was 40m euros at that time, and it was an enormous sum. That is how I left for the Italian team,” he added.
Ronaldo’s account presents his 1997 transfer as the result of a breakdown in trust between himself and Barcelona’s management. He had initially expected to remain at the club after what he described as an agreement on a new contract, only for the terms of his future to change within days.
The eventual transfer to Inter Milan followed the payment of the release clause and ended Ronaldo’s brief spell with Barcelona after one season.
