Ronaldo Nazario opened up on his parties at Real Madrid by insisting the rumors were more an ‘exaggeration’ above anything else.
Ronaldo’s career was defined by injuries and struggles for fitness, particularly late in his career. His talent, however, was unquestionable by any means. It established him as one of the world’s greatest forwards in his prime, leading to a big-money move to Real Madrid in 2002.
‘The Phenomenon’ arrived at the Bernabeu on the back of inspiring Brazil to World Cup glory after pulling off a miraculous recovery from a knee ligament injury, which sidelined him for nearly two years.
Ronaldo, who also collected a second Ballon d’Or and third FIFA World Player of the Year awards that year, took just 15 seconds to score on his Los Blancos debut.
He enjoyed a prolific first three seasons in the Spanish capital, winning the LaLiga and Spanish Supercup. But his off-pitch antics soon caught up, placing him under the spotlight for very unwanted reasons.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez often confronted him and urged him to emulate teammates like Luis Figo, which Ronaldo famously responded: ‘Presi, if I had a wife like Figo, I would.’
'Perez called me asking why I didn't stay home like Figo.'
' -Presi, if I had Figo's wife, I'd stay home every night for sure.' pic.twitter.com/DjiibRNX6h
— Paul Morrissey (@Paul_Morrissey) June 7, 2017
Now, in an interview with another Real Madrid icon in Jorge Valdano, the Brazilian opened up on the tales of his nightlife in Spain.
“There is a legend around what it was like,” Ronaldo said to Valdano on ‘Universo Valdano’ for Movistar.
“[They’d say] I had ‘one party too many’, but it was not like that. I have always been very responsible, I always tried not to damage my physique.
“After the matches were won, I did like to celebrate – and as we always won, it was a problem! But there was much more exaggeration than what it was really like.
“It was a spectacular time. Real Madrid and Madrid is the best combination of city and team that one can find in life.”
The now-Real Valladolid president managed an impressive 104 goals and 35 assists in 177 appearances for Real Madrid.
He also played for Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, AC Milan, and Corinthians before hanging up his boots in 2011.
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