LONDON: Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s new record signing worth £125 million, once disappointed Cristiano Ronaldo after rejecting the Portuguese legend’s persuasion to join Real Madrid as a teenager.
The 25-year-old Swedish striker finally completed a dramatic move from Newcastle United on the transfer window deadline, after almost going on strike to ensure his dream of moving to Anfield was realised.
But this is not the first time Isak has dared to make a big decision in his career.
While playing for AIK in Sweden as a sensational youth player, his talent attracted the attention of giant European clubs including Liverpool and Real Madrid.
In fact, The Athletic’s report revealed that Real had already agreed to personal terms and were trying to tie him down as soon as possible.
To convince Isak, Los Blancos used Ronaldo himself – who still plays at the Santiago Bernabeu – to make a FaceTime call to him.
But in a major surprise, Isak made a last-minute U-turn by choosing Borussia Dortmund because of the German club’s reputation for developing young talent.
“Everyone knows Borussia is a good club for young players. I’m just waiting for my chance,” Isak told FourFourTwo at the time.
His career path after that was full of twists and turns.
Isak struggled at Dortmund with just 12 appearances in two seasons before returning to prominence when loaned to Willem II in the Netherlands.
In 2019, he moved to Real Sociedad for £7.5 million and it was there that his reputation as a lethal striker flourished.
Isak scored 44 goals in 132 matches, including helping Sociedad win the 2020 Copa del Rey.
His refusal to return to Dortmund paves the way for Newcastle to break their transfer record of £63 million in 2022.
After almost three years with the Magpies, Isak is now Liverpool’s new star.
“It’s hard to describe in words. Everyone knows what Liverpool means, the fans, the atmosphere. I can’t wait to experience it myself,” said Isak after being announced as the Reds’ new player.