Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor James Osimhen, has revealed how veteran Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, inspired him during his time at Juventus, Soccernet.ng reports.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined the Old Ladies in 2018, departing Real Madrid after completing a three-peat in the UEFA Champions League.
Osimhen moved to Italy two years later and recalled a particular incident where he waited for Ronaldo in a bid to get a picture.
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The 2023 CAF Player of the Year got the chance to rub shoulders with Ronaldo when Napoli defeated Juventus by a lone goal in a home game.
What Osimhen said about Ronaldo
Speaking with Daddy Freeze, the 26-year-old mentioned he’d been a Ronaldo fanboy, and would do anything to get a picture with the football great.
“I used to say to my friends, the day I’m going to play against Ronaldo, Messi, or Neymar – these are legends, people I love so much -I’m taking a picture with them. I don’t care, even if we lose 10-0!
“After the game, I said to him, ‘Cris, I would like to take a picture with you.’ He said, ‘Yeah, come to the dressing room. ’
“I went into the dressing room and he wasn’t there, but [Gianluigi] Buffon saw me, came to me, and asked what I wanted.”
While Osimhen was grateful to have his moment with the ex-Manchester United star, he was taken aback by the level of professionalism Ronaldo, then 36, showed after playing 90 minutes.
“He [Buffon] went to the gym and told me Ronaldo was working out, told me to sit with him. We were just talking, it was almost 30 minutes, and he was not out yet. I waited for one hour, but he was still working out.”
“As soon as he finished, he went on the massage table and two physios attended to him. Look at the laps, they’re huge, and the veins? – You’ll think he’s 25 years old at that time.
“He said, ‘Great game, just keep on going,’ and I shook his hand. Nobody is surprised seeing Ronaldo doing what he’s doing now, but he’s actually a great personality,” Osimhen concluded.
At 40, Ronaldo played a huge role in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph, scoring eight goals as his nation clinched their third International trophy.