Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on Real Madrid departure – ‘I had given my word to Juventus’ | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest Real Madrid players ever, and rightfully so.

The Portuguese superstar, after all, defined an era for Los Blancos and was one of the most lethal goalscorers to ever represent the crest.

He moved to Juventus after completing his chapter in Madrid and then found his way to Old Trafford. Now, he plays for Al Nassr and continues to write history at the Saudi Arabian club.

Ronaldo relives his Real Madrid days

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the club icon reflected on his years of success at Real Madrid and all the joy it brought him.

“Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world,” he began.

“I achieved beautiful things at Madrid and people don’t forget that, that makes me happy,” he added, elaborating on the success he tasted at the club.

Speaking on how the standards are sky high at the club and how he pushed himself to be his best version every day for the Merengues, Ronaldo said,

“At Real Madrid, for example, I remember when I missed a chance or a penalty I would be so angry with myself. I didn’t allow myself to make mistakes.”

“I would go to bed without dinner, and talk to myself, wondering why I shot to the right or to the left. I don’t regret being like that,” he added.

The legend then opened up about his exit from the club and how Real Madrid tried to coerce him to stay at the last minute.

“I told Florentino (I will leave) and he accepted. It’s been a long story.”

“A few days after [it was agreed I would leave] Perez wanted to go back and continue but there was no way back because I had given my word to Juventus,” he added.

Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Finally, he recalled his experience of playing at Camp Nou and spoke on how it brought the best out of him.

“I loved playing in the Camp Nou. They booed me, they insulted me, and I loved that.”

On the current Real Madrid team

Speaking about today’s team, the Portuguese superstar acknowledged that Vinicius Jr. deserved to win the Ballon d’Or and that he was unfairly snubbed.

He also had heavy praise for Jude Bellingham, saying,

“Bellingham reminds me of Zidane, Bellingham has the whole future ahead of him.”

Ronaldo then went on to speak about the high regard he holds for Carlo Ancelotti and the special times he enjoyed under the Italian’s tutelage.

“Ancelotti? I like him a lot, he is a spectacular person. We won many things together.”

“I respect Perez, he is a trustworthy president and a serious person, and he treated me well. We won many titles with him, and I respect him a lot,” he added on Florentino Perez.

Towards the end of his interview, Ronaldo spoke on the special bond he shared with Real Madrid to date and how he considered it home.

“Spain is my home. My kids were born there, I will always go with Real Madrid with my heart.”

“My son, Mateo, really likes Bellingham, Camavinga, Mbappe,” he added.

Source: El Chiringuito TV