Everton opted against signing a 17-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in 2002.
That is according to a new book called Messi vs Ronaldo, which claims the Portuguese superstar was offered to the Blues for just £2m.
The Toffees were one of several European clubs said to have had the chance to sign Ronaldo during his breakthrough at Sporting Lisbon but decided against taking a risk on an 'untested' youngster when they had their own star - Wayne Rooney - coming into the first-team picture.