The perception of Cristiano Ronaldo as arrogant and self-centered has been a common criticism throughout his career. Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter referred to him as ‘Commandant,’ suggesting his on-field behavior resembled that of a brutal military officer.
However, those who have had the opportunity to know him closely present a different side of the 38-year-old.
One of his former Real Madrid teammates, Marcelo, shares a strong bond with the Portuguese star.
They engaged in choreographed goal celebrations and shared genuine laughter on and off the pitch, showcasing Ronaldo’s camaraderie with his fellow players.
An old video from their days at Real Madrid surfaced on Twitter, capturing a heartwarming moment where CR7, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, shared a warm embrace with the Brazilian defender at the club’s training base.
When Cristiano was hugging Marcelo and our players got jealous of him and wanted a hug too lol, miss those days manpic.twitter.com/54REpLh3vS https://t.co/FslKOVvsg8
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) August 1, 2023
This gesture caught the attention of the rest of the squad, leading to a delightful scene of players like veteran midfielder Luka Modric, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and midfield linchpin Casemiro all requesting hugs from Ronaldo.
The video showcases Ronaldo’s softer and more affectionate side, as he warmly interacts with his teammates, debunking the perception of him being solely arrogant and self-centered.
Fans react to Ronaldo’s hugs
The video has since warmed the hearts of many online users, with many trooping to the comment section to drop heartwarming messages.
@MousamDas777 wrote:
“Watched the video with a big fat smile and a teardrop in the corner of my eye when it ended.”
@VishaalWeshaall, on the other hand, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions:
“I smiled yet cried a little.”
@ojedeji_praise believes the video underlines how Ronaldo was held in high esteem by his teammates:
“He was adored.”
@lerato61248413 reckoned:
“Goat for a reason.”