On Tuesday night, superstar of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo will be returning to Old Trafford, playing his former team for only the fourth time since he left the club for Real Madrid in 2009. This UEFA Champions League group stage clash will be just the second instance in which Ronaldo has been on the visiting sideline at the Theatre of Dreams since leaving the Red Devils.
The first was a two-legged round-of-16 Champions League tie in 2013. He also faced United in last season’s UEFA Super Cup. This will obviously be first match against United in a Juventus shirt.
Given all the strong emotions that will accompany this highly anticipated match, and the serious legal problems Ronaldo has going right now off the pitch, one might not expect Ronaldo to be relaxed about this clash right now.
However, according to one of CR7’s teammates, he’s actually quite chill right now.
“Competition, it’s an extra stimulus, it forces you to give your best,” says Juventus winger Fernando Bernardeschi said.
“Ronaldo, he’s very calm, he’s focused. He’s a champion in the field and mentally, he wants to score and to do well.”
Meanwhile, in other Ronaldo news related to United, the Portugese superstar supposedly once gave a very arrogant and egocentric speech to the dressing room while a member of the Red Devils.
So says former Red Devils defender/midfielder Quinton Fortune, who told the Guardian (hat tip The Express): “Ronaldo came with so much confidence, it was unbelievable. He walked in the changing room and basically told everyone he’s the best.”
“Not in perfect English but you could make it out. That set him above all the young players and he could back it up with his work ethic and ability.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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