Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has leapt into the defense of his mate Cristiano Ronaldo after he recently came under firing for his stance at the club. Ronaldo had re-joined United last summer, in a move which which left the footballing fraternity in a split opinion. While some claimed his comeback would now make United the title challengers, others simply stated that it was a step backwards by a team in transition.
Ronaldo did continue his exploits in a underwhelming team, scoring 18 goals in 30 Premier League games. However, it was not enough for the Red Devils to qualify for the Champions League as they finished sixth in the league. That prompted the 37-year-old forward to opt for a transfer away from the club to a Champions League club. But his inability to find a new suitor now has him warming the bench under United’s new gaffer Erik ten Hag.
Evra explains former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s GOAT-ness
Patrice Evra played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for three-and-a-half years, after joining from AS Monaco in the winter market of 2006. The two enjoyed a brilliant relationship on the left-flank, helping United to a massive six trophies during their stint together. Evra has since been in the awe of the Portuguese, hailing him as the greatest of all time, over his fierce rival Lionel Messi. Ronaldo and Messi have created a monopoly over the GOAT debate for the last decade, ever since their rise to the top.
However, Evra was furious while slamming Ronaldo’s critics who have fired shots at the Portugal captain for creating an ill-atmosphere in the United dressing room after his exit drama which prevailed throughout the summer. The former left-back feels those pointing fingers are either “jealous” of him, or simply are Leo Messi’s fans. In an interview with Betfair, Evra said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an alien. I won’t call him the GOAT, because he’s not from this earth. It’s crazy. What I like about Cristiano is his discipline. When I was training with him, that’s the word that I had in my head every single day. He’s scored 700 goals. 700 times this guy has scored. I can repeat it over and over and it’s still hard to believe. But it’s Cristiano Ronaldo, alien is how I’d describe him. Incredible discipline to do it.
“I think his discipline to push himself that much is a sickness, it’s like a disease. I think he has an urge to push himself no matter what, he doesn’t care what people say. I worry about when he retires because what is he going to do to find that drive and adrenalin to keep pushing himself? It’s going to be tough for him. It’s a disease in a good way.
“People don’t understand how many sacrifices Cristiano Ronaldo has to make every single day. His diet, his sleep pattern, he can’t enjoy going out and having a good drink with friends, so many sacrifices. To have that, it has to be part of your DNA. We have this debate, and some really unfair people, I call them jealous people, criticise him, but he went to Madrid and conquered Spain, he went to Juventus and conquered Italy, he came back to the Premier League at the age of 36.
When you disrespect Cristiano, it’s because you’re jealous or you’re a fan of Messi, I understand that and it’s not a problem. People say I love Cristiano so much because he’s my friend, no. I love the work ethic of Cristiano. That’s what I admire the most.”