Arrigo Sacchi: 'I tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Parma'

Italian football coach Arrigo Sacchi has revealed that he tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Parma in 2001.

While recently visiting Real Madrid, Sacchi explained that Ronaldo acknowledges his efforts when he tried to sign him from Sporting Lisbon over a decade ago.

"When [Ronaldo] saw me, he greeted me cordially, stepped off his exercise bike and told me: 'I know that your Parma wanted to buy me when I was at Sporting, but unfortunately for you Manchester offered more'," the 68-year-old said, according to Goal.com.

"Cristiano has a great relationship with his teammates and with Carlo in particular. He is well-educated and most of all, modest."

Ronaldo is looking to retain the Ballon d'Or this year after scoring 32 goals in 23 games this season, but faces competition from Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer.