Cristiano Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest footballers of all time when he finally decides to call it quits, but he clearly hasn’t let fame and fortune get to his head over the years
Cristiano Ronaldo once showed a touch of class by buying Real Madrid staff the latest iPhone and Apple Watch, according to ex-team-mate Kiko Casilla. Undoubtedly one of the greatest footballing talents to ever step foot on the pitch, Ronaldo clearly hasn’t let his monumental fame and fortune impact his humility.
He spent three years as a team-mate of goalkeeper Casilla at Real between 2015 and 2018 before he parted ways with Los Blancos to join Juventus in an £86million move. While his impact on the pitch is well documented, Casilla has shed light on his equally impressive behaviour off it.
Speaking with El After de Post United, the 38-year-old shot-stopper, who made 43 appearances for Real, said: “He’s a phenomenon, a wonderful human being who helps even the last youngster coming up from the academy. Ask him for anything and he’ll give it to you.
“When we went to the United States for pre-season, he bought all the staff, including physiotherapists, security guards, and other team members, the latest iPhone and Apple Watch. These are things he doesn’t mention himself because there’s no point bragging about it. He’s a person who likes to help or thank everyone around him with those gestures.”
He also recalled how Real’s dressing room underwent a significant shift upon Zinedine Zidane being appointed as the club’s head coach in January 2016, with Ronaldo and Karim Benzema stepping up to support him.
Highlighting a lack of an ego within the star who always had the team’s interests at heart, Casilla added: “When Zidane arrived, with the presence he had and everything he represented, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema stepped up so as not to let him down.”
Ronaldo made a legend of himself after making his way to the Bernabeu in 2009 in an £80m move, scoring 450 goals and providing 131 assists in 438 appearances. He also lifted two La Liga titles, four domestic titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups during his time under the Spanish sun.
It comes as Ronaldo recently found himself met with criticism for failing to attend the funeral of Portugal team-mate, Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident. A service for the Liverpool forward and his younger sibling was held in Gondomar on Saturday, with a wealth of the 28-year-old’s team-mates in attendance to pay their respects.
Ronaldo, however, was absent. Mirror Football understands that the Portugal captain opted against travelling to the funeral given that his presence in the small town may have overshadowed the sombre occasion. Instead, it is said that the 40-year-old spent time with his family, while posting a tribute to Jota online.
Taking to Instagram, the Al-Nassr striker wrote: “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
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