Why Ronaldo quit Barcelona for Inter in world-record transfer

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has revealed that Ronaldo was keen to stay at the club prior to his blockbuster move to Inter, but decided on a transfer while Blaugrana officials were out celebrating his contract renewal at dinner. 

The Brazilian has gone down in history as one of the finest players ever to star at Camp Nou, despite spending just a single season with the Catalan club. 

In the 1996-97 campaign, Ronaldo smashed an incredible 47 goals in 49 games in all competitions, making himself an instant favourite with fans following his move from PSV in the summer of 1996. 

Fast forward one year and Barcelona's board were looking forward to extending his stay, only to see Inter jump in with a world record bid of £19.5 million ($27 million) to take him to San Siro.  

"We did not agree and I went to FIFA in Zurich to file a complaint against Inter," he said. 

"The decision was taken to set up an arbitration committee to decide how much should be paid, not if the player could go to Inter, it was clear that was going to happen. FIFA agreed with Barcelona and Inter had to pay a further 400m pesetas.

"I personally told Moratti that what he did was not right because he knew we were negotiating and we had closed the operation. He has always denied knowing that we had come to an agreement but that's a lie.

"Whenever I see him I remind him that Ronaldo did not want to go to Inter, it was his agents who convinced him due to the money."

Despite Ronaldo's swift exit, Gaspart insists that the Selecao star was never happier than when he was lining up at Camp Nou – and that he almost returned five years later.

"Ronaldo told me [in 2002] that if we

equalled Real Madrid's offer, he would choose Barcelona but it was a huge offer and we could not make such a big investment for a player who had left in that way," he said.

"Ronaldo's heart is more Blaugrana than Madrid because he has better memories of his time at Barcelona."