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Transfer news: PSG did 'everything' they could to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid

However, he shouldn't win the Fifa Ballon d'Or says former sporting director Leonardo

Simon Rice
Tuesday 10 December 2013 17:07 GMT
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Top clash: The skill of Portugal’s Ronaldo will do battle with the team ethic of Mesut Özil’s Germany
Top clash: The skill of Portugal’s Ronaldo will do battle with the team ethic of Mesut Özil’s Germany

Former Paris St Germain sporting director Leonardo has revealed that the French club did "everything within the written laws" to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to join them from Real Madrid.

However, despite his attempts to lure the Portugal striker, the former Brazil international claims Franck Ribery should win the Fifa Ballon d'Or award.

The Brazilian explained in an interview with Telefoot: "We thought of signing Ronaldo. I did everything within the written laws to try to get him to Paris but it was impossible to make him leave Real Madrid."

The Fifa Ballon d'Or award, which will be handed out next month, should not go to Ronaldo however.

"Ronaldo, Messi and Ribery are the type of players who make you dream," explained Leonardo. "I prefer Ribery for the Ballon d'Or, as it would be his first title. Ronaldo and Messi also merit it - but they have already won."

During the interview, Leonardo revealed Paul Pogba, who left Manchester United for Juventus, was another player the reigning champions of France targeted.

"Pogba is at the level to play for PSG, of course. We thought of him and thought he would be a great investment because he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

Despite a couple of failures in the transfer market, Leonardo used the interview to talk up the quality at PSG, who currently head the Ligue 1 table.

"There is no other team that has the squad of the Paris Saint-Germain. No other team has such offensive force.

"The squad has Salvatore Sirigu, Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta, Zlatan Ibrahmovic and then came Edinson Cavani. We wanted this strong central spine. The team is ready for now and for the future.”

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