Cristiano Ronaldo, over the years, has won many accolades as well as criticism. But it could be the first time he has ever gotten such a demand from anyone. His former teammate for many years had made a bizarre claim that did not go well with Ronaldo. However, an Italian journalist had second thoughts about it, claiming it was a positive thing.
Ronaldo had many stints with many clubs in the past. In Europe, he played for four different clubs. But his talent was observed when he played for Sporting CP. A player who has known him since then gave him a compliment instead of criticism, claimed a journalist.
An Italian journalist finds nothing wrong with a bizarre claim against Cristiano Ronaldo
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World soccer has mostly been about two players in the last decade: Cristiano Ronaldo and his rival. But this time it was Ronaldo’s turn to receive a bizarre demand from Sporting CP’s former player, Fabio Paim. Paim said that he could have been a top player like CR7 if he had done better. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s angry reaction, a senior Italian journalist, Gab Marcotti, felt he should take it as a compliment instead of getting annoyed.
Fabio Paim also played for Sporting CP’s youth team. He was also created highly by Ronaldo. But Paim claimed that he could have been better than Ronaldo if he had made the same effort and commitment. Paim took nothing away from the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, saying that he deserves to be where he is due to his commitment. This was indeed a compliment to Ronaldo’s mind, felt the journalist.
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Additionally, Paim also said that Ronaldo should also give him one of his Ballon d’Ors for being so talented. Even though he would not have meant it on a lighter note, Ronaldo commented on his opinions, asking who the person was.
Does Ronaldo not know Paim?
Paim also from Portugal was a player at Sporting CP. Three years younger than Ronaldo, he joined the senior team later. However, both players were part of the club’s youth team, and it was also back in the day that Ronaldo rated Paim very highly. Ronaldo, while moving to Manchester United in 2003, said, “If you think I’m good, wait until you see Fábio Paim.”
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Paim also expressed regret for not maintaining Ronaldo’s discipline. He said that it was the abundance of wants that distracted him from focusing and being overconfident. The 35-year-old clearly stated that he regrets the choices he made; otherwise, they would have been some of the best currently.