Ramon Calderon reveals why Real Madrid could never unite Messi and Ronaldo

The football world has long debated the greatest players of all time, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the forefront of that discussion. For years, speculation swirled about whether these two titans could have ever played together at Real Madrid, a prospect that former club president Ramon Calderon has now addressed.

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I would have loved it, but it was impossible because Messi was at Barcelona and they would never have let him leave unless he took the initiative, like Cristiano did at Manchester United. But he was happy at Barca, and therefore, there was no possibility. It was a shame because bringing together the two best players in the world on the same team would have been fantastic.

Calderon stated that while he would have "loved it," uniting Messi and Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu was an impossibility. He explained that Messi's deep-rooted connection to Barcelona, where he spent his entire career until his move to Paris Saint-Germain, meant he would likely only have left if he initiated it himself, unlike Ronaldo's proactive move from Manchester United. "But he was happy at Barca, and therefore, there was no possibility," Calderon said.

Calderon detailed Real Madrid's two-year pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. He noted that while United was reluctant to sell, Ronaldo's own strong desire to join Madrid was the decisive factor. "It's well known that footballers like Cristiano end up going where they really want to go; it's impossible to hold them against their will," Calderon explained, emphasizing the opportunity to sign one of the world's best players alongside Messi.

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We were in negotiations for two years. Manchester United, naturally, didn't want him to leave, but the player wanted to go. It's well known that footballers like Cristiano end up going where they really want to go; it's impossible to hold them against their will. I insist, I was there and, as anyone else would have done, I seized the opportunity. At that moment, he was the best player in the world alongside Messi, and therefore, the most logical thing to do was to seize the opportunity to sign him with both hands.

Reflecting on Ronaldo's eventual departure from Real Madrid in 2018, Calderon believes it was a misstep for all parties. He suggested that strained relations between Ronaldo and club president Florentino Perez contributed to the move. "I believe it was a mistake on both sides," Calderon concluded, adding that Ronaldo never fully adapted to clubs outside of Real Madrid, and the Spanish giants struggled to replace his unique impact.

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I believe it was a mistake on both sides. Certainly, the relationship wasn't good from the beginning, then, over time, it deteriorated towards the end of his time here. I believe the president didn't think anyone would be able to pay 100 million euros, but yes, there was a club willing to do it, and then he had no other option but to accept the player's departure. The player never fully adapted to any club outside of Real Madrid, and Real Madrid was difficult because it's impossible to find someone like Cristiano.