Former Al-Nassr centre-back Alvaro Gonzalez has revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo’s behavior differs on the pitch compared to inside the dressing room. The pair played 10 games alongside each other on the pitch during the 2022-23 campaign, following Ronaldo’s signing in January 2023.
Despite being in the twilight years of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to wear his heart on his sleeve for Al-Nassr, as seen on multiple occasions over the past three years. The 41-year-old remains one of the best finishers in the world, guiding the Knights of Najd to the Saudi Pro League title last season.
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During an interview with Radio MARCA, Gonzalez provided further insights into Ronaldo’s character, stating (via OneFootball):
“Honestly, and after confirming it with other team-mates we’ve had in common, he’s absolutely fantastic inside the dressing room. Inside the dressing room, he’s a completely normal person, approachable and someone who helps you.”
He added:
“From the moment he leaves the dressing room and steps onto the pitch, he completely changes. He’s a competitive beast. Afterwards, we’d go to the jacuzzi, have some laughs and joke around, and it would all be forgotten. People like him and [Lionel] Messi will go down in the history of football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is contracted with Al-Nassr until June 2027, is currently targeting an iconic milestone of 1000 career goals. The Portugal megastar has scored 978 goals in 1333 appearances across all competitions for club and country to date.
“I’ll be able to tell this story, and that was part of it too” – Al-Nassr boss provides his verdict on becoming part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s story
Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has admitted that he is ‘fortunate’ to be a part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic journey, comparing his experience with other top stars, including Ferenc Puskás, Tim Cahill, and Son Heung-min. Postecoglou replaced Jorge Jesus as Al-Nassr’s manager over the summer, following his stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.
During a recent pre-match press conference, Postecoglou said (h/t Al Nassr Zone):
“When I look back on my career, what stands out to me the most is how incredibly fortunate I’ve been to be part of other people’s journeys. When I was a player, Ferenc Puskás was my coach, and he was one of the greatest players in the history of football.”
“Just being connected to him was amazing for me, because I became a small part of that man’s story, a very, very small part, but still a part of it. With the Australian national team, I worked with Tim Cahill, who is probably the greatest Australian player of all time, so I’m a small part of his story too. And Son Heung-min is the greatest Korean player of all time, and I’m also a small part of his story.”
He continued:
“So, without a doubt, with Cristiano Ronaldo being here, you find yourself thinking: I could become a small part of his story too. And it’s not from a selfish perspective. It’s about my own journey in life, everything I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a kid, and finding yourself connected to these people throughout your career.”
“That was part of the attraction for me… It’s not necessarily that they’ll remember my story alongside theirs, but I’ll be able to tell this story, and that was part of it too.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have started the season well and are currently second in the Saudi Pro League standings with 12 points from four games. They will next face rivals Al-Ittihad later tonight (September 5).
Edited by Silas Sud
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