Ronaldinho nearly moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United instead of Barcelona in 2003.
Both clubs were seeking Ronaldinho following his brilliant performance for Brazil in 2002 World Cup.
Reports at the time suggested Ronaldinho moved to Spain because their offer of £21 million was deemed superior to the cash-plus-player offer put forward by United.
But Ronaldinho claims talks with United were close to a conclusion, but he had a change of heart when his close friend Sandro Rosell was set to become president of Barcelona.
Speaking in the July 2014 issue of FFT, Ronaldinho says: “It almost happened with United. It was a matter of 48 hours, but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: 'If I become Barça president, will you come?' I said yes.
"It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the elections there. And I had promised to him that I'd play for Barça. It was a quick negotiation. I told the English I had chosen Barca."
The move changed the fortunes of Barcelona, going from a side that went without a trophy for four years to winning six titles in the space of three seasons.
“It was the right choice. Brazilians have always loved Barça. We have a history there. Off the pitch it is like nowhere else in Europe, so we are always happy playing there."