Featured Image Credit: SPL/Youtube
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Celtic, Anfield
Luke Davies
Cristiano Ronaldo has already named the best atmosphere he has played in during his legendary career – and it may not be what you’d expect.
Ronaldo, 40, has played for some of Europe’s most iconic clubs – including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus – during his trophy-laden playing career and is currently at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
During his time in Europe, he had the pleasure of regularly playing at iconic stadiums such as United’s Old Trafford, Liverpool’s Anfield, Real’s Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou, but he did not name any of the aforementioned grounds when revealing the best atmosphere he had experienced.
However, he did reveal that he enjoyed scoring at Barca’s home stadium more than the Bernabeu.
"I was on top,” said Ronaldo when speaking to El Chiringuito earlier this year.
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“They whistled at me, but I didn't care about the insults. I was only thinking about scoring and shutting those people up. I liked scoring goals at Camp Nou more than at the Bernabeu."
But still, he named another European stadium as the one which created the best atmosphere, and that was Celtic’s ground, Celtic Park – otherwise known as Parkhead.
"The Celtic fans are incredible,” Ronaldo said via Celtic’s website.
“It is always great to play there."
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The Portuguese played at Celtic Park twice while he was at Man Utd. Back in 2006, his first visit ended in defeat thanks to Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick, which handed the home side a 1-0 win.
Then, he played at the stadium again in 2008, with the match finishing 1-1 on that occasion.
And he is not the first football legend to voice his admiration for the Glasgow-based stadium.
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Sir Alex Ferguson famously said: “Anyone going to Celtic Park now is saying, 'You've got to beat that atmosphere, the energy they spend in their games'."
While Lionel Messi described Celtic's atmosphere as the best he'd played in.
The stadium is the largest football ground in Scotland and has a capacity of over 60,000. It opened in 1892 and has since been renovated - between 1994-98.
Aside from playing host to Champions League fixtures and the iconic 'Old Firm' derby between Rangers and Celtic, the ground has recently been used for concerts and even held the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.