Earlier this summer, Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United from Italian giants Juventus.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he will never forget former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s compassion shown to him prior to his father’s death in 2005. In a new episode of Inside View, presented by TeamViewer, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is asked to choose the best moment from his relationship with ‘the boss’. Ronaldo, who has enjoyed success at Real Madrid and Juventus prior to joining Man United for a second time, surprisingly opted for a non-football choice. However, it exemplified the legendary former manager’s understanding and care for his players and their families.
“It’s hard to mention just one [moment],” Ronaldo begins, as per their club’s website. “There were so many beautiful moments that we had together. Not just winning things. But in my heart I keep the most difficult things. Probably he doesn’t remember, but I will say it because it’s a beautiful story. One day, my father was in hospital, and I was so emotional, very low. And I spoke with him and he said: ‘Cristiano, go there for two or three days.’
? Miss the ?????? ???? with Sir Alex and @Cristiano on Friday?
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“We had difficult games [coming up],” he continued, “and I was a key player in that moment. “He said: ‘It will be tough because we have difficult games, but I understand your situation and I’ll leave you [out] and you can go and see your father.’ For me, these are the most important things – apart from winning Champions Leagues, to win the Premier League, to win cups and stuff. So I have to appreciate him, because what he said to me, he always did. I have to appreciate that.”
Ronaldo’s father passed away in 2005, at the age of only 52. However, the memory of the former manager’s empathy ensured a loyalty that endures to this day. In the chat, Sir Alex explained that his approach to the sensitive situation was guided by an experience he went through earlier in his career.
“A young boy came to my office,” he recalled. “It was a Tuesday and he says: ‘Boss, can I have Friday off,’ and I say: ‘Why do you want Friday off?’ And he said: ‘My mother’s died.’ You’re beat. What can you do? I went: ‘Oh, of course, son.’ From that moment on, if a player came to me and said ‘I want tomorrow off’ I’d say: ‘Yes – can I help you?’
“In the case of Cristiano, I knew his father was ill,” he continued. “I knew he was in hospital. It was important for him to be there. The football club didn’t matter. You’ve got to understand: some things are bigger than the football club, and family is definitely one of them. Without question. You should never, ever put the club in front of a family.”
Earlier this summer, Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United from Italian giants Juventus. The Red Devils secured the Portuguese star for an initial fee of 15 million euros that could rise to 23 million euros ($27 million, 20 million pound), according to figures released by Juventus.
The 36-year-old forward came to prominence during his six-year stay at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009 when he was primarily playing as a winger. He then moved to Real Madrid for a then world record transfer fee of a reported 80 million pound. It is at Santiago Bernabeu, he transformed into a goal scoring machine.
