“Every night he went to the villa with 6-7 players and partied” - Fabio Capello on why he sacked ‘negative leader’ Ronaldo Nazario at Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello shared why he sacked Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario during his time at the club. The Italian manager described the striker as a 'negative leader' and implied he was a poor example to other players.
Capello managed the Madrid outfit for two spells: first taking over at Los Blancos from the 1996-97 season then again from the 2006-07 campaign. The legendary manager encountered the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner during his second stint with Real Madrid.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE podcast, Capello discussed his time with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, saying:
“Ronaldo [Nazario], I had to sack him. He was not a leader, but also a negative leader. Every night he went to the villa with six to seven players and partied. For me, he is the best player I ever saw in training in my life. He was 94 kilos when he arrived."
"I asked him, ‘What was your weight when you won the World Cup in 2002?’ He said, ’84 kilos.’ I asked him to reduce his weight but 92 was the maximum he went down to, but an incredible player.”
The Brazilian left the Spanish capital that January to join Fabio Capello's former side, AC Milan. He scored 103 goals and provided 35 assists in 177 appearances for the Spanish giants.
Ronaldo Nazario played for both Milan clubs and Real Madrid during his time in Europe
Ronaldo Nazario set the Santiago Bernabeu alight for four years, joining Los Blancos from Inter Milan in 2002 during their Galactico era.
The Brazilian's time in the Spanish capital ended in the winter window of the 2006-07 season when he was allowed to leave. Italian manager Fabio Capello sanctioned the move, insisting that the striker lacked professionalism.
The World Cup winner moved to AC Milan, where he played 20 games, scoring nine and assisting four before leaving Europe for his native Brazil. The Brazilian is remembered as one of the greatest talents in the early 2000s and is fondly remembered in Madrid and Milan.