Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the biggest names in the world of Football and Sports, started his rise to fandom from Manchester United. The FC Porto youngster was picked up by the legendary Sir Alex in 2003, and he became the 5 times Ballon d’Or winner currently the hitman at Serie A champions Juventus. But did you know the Portuguese superstar once shed his tears at Old Trafford? Club legend Louis Saha reveals.
Speaking to UK football magazine FourFourTwo, the former French international forward looked back at his years as a Red Devil, and his teammate and one of United’s biggest hall of fame- Ruud van Nistelrooy, and the Dutch giant’s occasional fallout with Fergie.
“He was always really nice with me; he maybe had a problem with the choice made by the manager, but never with me. He was obsessed about goals, and I respect that.” Saha told in the interview.
Nistelrooy switched sides in 2006 and joined the Spanish elites Real Madrid, a move thought to have Saha behind it, but he denied the speculations. “I know some people said I maybe pushed him to a move away from the club, but that’s totally bollocks.”
Nistelrooy, who is currently managing the PSV Eindhoven Under 19 team, spent two years with Saha at the Theater of Dreams before flying to Santiago Bernabéu.
“He was such a good player – he just had an issue with the manager – and I was maybe good enough for the manager to replace him, but I could have played with him, too.”
However, when asked about Ronaldo, Saha admitted that Nistelrooy once made the young Portuguese talent to break down during drills.
“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.” He added.