RONDERFUL GESTURE
A Brazilian footballer who adores Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a glimpse into the affectionate side of the Manchester United star.
Cesinha, 31, has spent most of his career playing for Daegu FC in South Korea’s K-League, and that is how he came into contact with Ronaldo, 36.
In 2019 Juventus travelled to East Asia and took on a K-League all-star team in a pre-season friendly.
Cesinha scored to put his side 2-1 up and decided to mark his goal using Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration – alongside a few team-mates.
CR7 initially did not look impressed watching on from the sidelines but he allowed himself a wry smile and showed wonderful humility after the match.
Cesinha has relived the story in great detail, telling Portuguese outlet UOL: “It was a day that I never wanted to end.
“I had already agreed with the Brazilian, Éder [partner in Daegu], that if I scored the goal, I would celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo, because here in the League I already did.
“The goal happened, we made [the celebration] together, and I saw at the time that he was kind of upset. But I went there and I bowed to him, so he could see that it wasn’t offending
“Later, I asked for his shirt, right, yes, for sure [laughs]. He understood, and I said how much I was his fan, that he was my idol and that day was being a dream come true.
“He was very affectionate, he told me that I was a great player, to always believe in the potential that I can reach unimaginable places. That day never left my head. It was ‘the day’.”
