Ronaldo repeats what he said about Benzema years ago: “They criticized me when I said it.”

There are few voices as reliable as Ronaldo Nazario’s when talking about strikers. Or football in general. The former Real Madrid striker, twice winner of the Ballon d’Or (1997 and 2002), gave an interview to the channel “Sky Sport Italia”. He submitted his candidacy for Benzema in the race to choose the winner of the next Ballon d’Or 2022.

The interview (to be published in full after the Real Madrid-Chelsea game) left these headlines. By the way, the interlocutor is the great Alessandro del Piero.

People’s affection for Ronaldo

“I have a lot of good memories, but what amazes me every time is the affection of the people wherever I go. I always find a lot of respect from everyone. Sports results and achievements with Brazil and with the clubs… It was a beautiful sporting life.”

His work as President of Valladolid

“As president, I still have important things to do, but during my career as a footballer, I’ve had great teachers starting with Moratti, who was like a father to me and who taught me so much, and Florentino Perez, who was great at reinventing Football.”

Arrival at Inter from Barcelona

“I found a renewal agreement with Barcelona but after four days the president called me to tell me that he could not continue. He told me that I could negotiate with other teams and the Nerazzurri moved quickly to pay the termination clause. The Italian championship in those years was really the best in the world.”

Real Madrid, Champions League, Benzema and the Ballon d’Or

“For the Champions League, Real Madrid is the favorite. They didn’t have a very good time but they live with this tournament, and after that they have Ancelotti on the bench, he is one of the best coaches in the world.”

And the phenomenon Ronaldo added in this regard, saying: “Benzema? He deserves the Ballon d’Or. I’ve been saying it for years and they criticized me… But he deserves it, he’s a great striker.”

Source: Marca