Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti explains how teammates view Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has shed light on what Cristiano Ronaldo's former Los Blancos teammates think about the legend. The 39-year-old Al-Nassr striker enjoyed a hugely successful nine-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Since arriving from Manchester United in the summer of 2019, Ronaldo amassed 450 goals across 438 games across competitions, winning two La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles, including an unprecedented three on the trot.
It has been six years since the five-time Ballon d'Or winner left the Bernabeu, but Ancelotti has revealed that Ronaldo being the consummate professional, he was well respected by his teammates.
“He has been and continues to be a great professional," the Italian told MARCA (via Madrid Universal). "One of the best of all time. A legend, a great professional and an example. He has been a fantastic teammate, much appreciated by the rest of the players.”
Ronaldo played a key role as Ancelotti delivered Los Blancos' much-awaited UEFA Champions League La Decima (tenth title) in 2014, with the Portuguese star scoring a record 17 goals.
The 39-year-old created more history this week, becoming the first player in the game's history to plunder 900 goals for club and country. Ronaldo achieved the landmark by scoring in Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia in their UEFA Nations League opener in Lisbon on Thursday.
"I have more dreams" - Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo after scaling Mount 900
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best players and most lethal goalscorers in the game's history. Since scoring his first goal for Sporting CP in 2002, he has scored 899 more over the next 22 years and is seemingly far from done.
Ronaldo's record goal tally includes a record 450 strikes for Real Madrid and 131 for Portugal - the most by any player in men's international football. He has also notched up a century of goals for Manchester United (145) and Juventus (101 and has scored 68 times in less than two years for his current club Al-Nassr.
On Friday, Ronaldo tweeted a montage of his goals over the years, mentioning 'History of football rewritten' as he captioned the post:
"I dreamed of this, and I have more dreams. Thank you all!"
He has had a superb start to the current season, scoring in all four games across competitions. The Real Madrid legend recovered from a barren Euro 2024 campaign by scoring against Croatia.