CRISTIANO RONALDO’S former Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt has sung the praises of the Portugal star, commending his team-player mentality and banter.
, 51, only spent one season at United with but the five-time Champions League winner obviously made a good impression on the Englishman in his 2003/04 debut campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been serenaded by ex-Man United man Nicky Butt Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The pair played together in the 2003/04 season Credit: Action Images
Speaking exclusively to Paddy Power , Butt said: “He’s actually a very likeable lad, Cristiano. He’s a top lad, he’s a funny lad, he gets involved with all the banter.
“He’s obviously a mega superstar, a billionaire, but he is actually a good lad to have a chat with.
“It becomes other people’s problem, they’re a bit standoffish from him because they’re in awe of him.
“He’s present, he’s a very, very good team player. He might not look like that on a pitch, he can look like he’s just standing around.
“But ‘s the same, they’ve got to a certain level and age and they’re not just running around, they’re saving their energy for scoring goals..
“I knew he’d come back from that poor first game, he had a blip, the whole team did.
“People say he can be a problem to the football team when it’s going bad, but when it’s going good and they’ve got possession, he’s a threat and he’s shown that so many times.
“He’s proven people wrong all the time and that’s what he’s done since he was a kid.”
Following his first two goals at the 2026 World Cup,.
It came after his historical rival Lionel Messi took the tournament by storm, bagging his in Argentina’s opener, before adding .
His goals against ‘s side saw the Argentinian become the .
And that would have only motivated Ronaldo further, who returns to action on Sunday morning as face in a clash which will decide the winners of Group K.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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