According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approached Mourinho over a potential deal to bring the Brazilian ace to Stamford Bridge in 2004 but the Portuguese opted to snap up Didier Drogba instead.

Despite the apparent snub, it worked out well for all parties concerned. Drogba signed for Chelsea from Marseille for £24m, and they went on to win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup together.

Ronaldinho, on the other hand, stayed at Barcelona until 2008, when he moved to AC Milan. He won two La Liga titles, a Champions League and was named the winner of the Ballon d’Or award in 2005.