People do not know the true Ronaldo says Raul Albiol
World Cup winner, Raul Albiol believes that 'people don't know the true Ronaldo. The former Real Madrid player praised the Los Blancos talisman for his achievements both on and off the pitch. Albiol, who currently plays for Italian side Napoli, spent four years in Madrid, where he played alongside Ronaldo. Speaking after Ronaldo's incredible Ballon d'Or achievement, the Spaniard lauded the Real hitman for his work off the pitch.
"Ronaldo is an amazing person, outside of football he is always trying to help everyone, especially children. There is part of his personality that many people do not know. People do not know the true Ronaldo. He works hard to get better every day, but he's also very generous," Albiol told Canale 21.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently in Japan as his side prepare to face Kashima Antlers in the Club World Cup final, picked up his fourth Ballon d'Or in his illustrious career. Madrid are favorites to lift the trophy, as the defending Champions League winners usually are. The Portuguese sensation recently scored his 500th club career goal against Mexican side Club America. At the same time, he secured an incredible record of scoring in every competition that he played in for Madrid, as he scored their second goal deep into stoppage time.
Raul Albiol, who joined Napoli in 2013, has made 12 appearances so far while picking up one assist as his club sit fourth in the league and have qualified into the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Valencia product made 81 appearances for Real Madrid since he joined the club in 2009. He picked up a La Liga winners medal, along with sealing a Copa del Rey and Supercopa podium finish.
Raul's current side Napoli were drawn against Madrid in the Champions League. They're set to travel to Spain to play the first leg of their knockout tie on February 15th. Albiol's ex-team-mates are favorites to go through, but the Italian side will not be going down without a fight.
Napoli full-back Ivan Strinic feels that revenge is on the cards, as the club looks to avenge club legend Diego Maradon's loss at the hands of Madrid, 19 years ago. Napoli lost the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
"We will avenge Maradona. We will do against Real what Diego didn't manage to do. We will be tough, we are aware how good Real are, but we are playing very well. If we were to face Real next week, I would be very optimistic. But who knows how both Real and us will be by then.“, said the Croatian midfielder to Sportske Novosti.