Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Football, Manchester United
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Football, Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo was once reduced to tears during a Manchester United training session by a teammate, who 'regrets' the incident.
Ronaldo enjoyed six trophy-laden seasons at Man United following his transfer from Sporting CP, before, of course, returning to the club in the summer of 2021.
In his first spell at Old Trafford, he won several major honours, including three Premier League titles and the prestigious Champions League.
Ronaldo was coached by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and played alongside some of the club's greatest players, including goal-machine Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was an established first-team player upon the Portuguese's arrival.
But during one training session, Van Nistelrooy made Ronaldo cry after a heated row.
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That's according to Louis Saha, who's 'sure' the Dutch forward 'regrets some of his words'.
"Ruud had that kind of ego: he wanted all the passes," he said.
"And sometimes, for the development of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, it was difficult for the manager to deal with."
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Saha, who joined Man United in the same summer as Ronaldo, added: "Did Ruud make Ronaldo cry? Yeah, there were stories because I think they ended up in an argument at the moment when Cristiano’s father had passed away, so it wasn’t the right moment. Things like that happen when two players have lots of spirit, but I’m sure Ruud regrets some of his words.
"Cristiano was just an animal. I don’t know if you can say that he was a human! You could see from when he was 18 or 19 that this guy was not normal.
"These players who have all the ability recognise that it’s also about working harder than anyone - not just talent. The top seeds in tennis don’t hit the ball better or have better technique; no, they work harder than anyone, and Cristiano did that."
In different years, both Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy left Man United for Real Madrid as they reunited in Spain following their time together in Manchester.