“I have to thank my friend”: When Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he owed his success to his long-time ally

Ronaldo paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend

Back in 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo made an emotional revelation, where he thanked his long-time friend Albert Fantrau for his success. Frantau and Ronaldo played together for Sporting CP’s youth sides where the pair developed a close friendship.

The Portuguese narrated an incredible story of how Frantau helped him get selected for Sporting CP’s senior team when the club’s scouts had come to watch the youth team play. He said:

“I have to thank my friend Albert Fantrau for my success. We played together for a youth club. When people from Sporting arrived, they told us that whoever scored more goals would be accepted to their Academy. We won that game 3-0, I scored the first goal, then Albert scored a header, and the third was a goal that impressed everyone. Albert went on one on one with the goal keeper. I was running next to him, he went round the keeper, all he needed to do was just to get the ball into the empty net. But, he passed it to me and I scored.”

Ronaldo further added that he confronted his friend about that pass, to which Frantau said that he’s better than him.

“I was accepted to the Academy. After the match, I approached him and asked him “why” and he answered “You’re better than me”.”

Rumors have it, that years later when a journalist visited Frantau to confirm the theory, he saw Frantau living in a luxurious mansion with swanky cars in it. When the journalist asked him how he managed to get those assets despite not being a star footballer, he simply replied “It’s from Cristiano”.

It’s still not known how much of that story is true, but if indeed it is, then it’s truly a heartwarming story.

Ronaldo still going strong at 39

At 39 years of age, players would have normally hung up their boots. But Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t a normal player, is he? The Portuguese ace continues to bang in the goals left, right, and center for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. In the current season, he has managed 36 goals from 37 appearances, while registering a further 12 assists. Age is no bar for this man!

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