Former teammate Rafael van der Vaart surprised by mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo, a legendary footballer. Rafael was asked who was his finest teammate in his 18-year career in an exclusive talksport interview on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
He dropped Ronaldo without hesitation, saying, “Of course I have to mention Ronaldo because I played with him at Real Madrid for a year. Rafael praised No. 7 and compared himself to Ronaldo, saying, “If you ask me who had the better technique, me or Ronaldo, I would say myself in terms of first touch and passing.”
However, he swiftly admitted that “His way of thinking is the biggest difference.”
He said of the 40-year-old’s mentality and physics, “He was so fit and so focused on scoring goals and winning things, you see from really close how special he is, how much effort he puts in every day.”
In 2009-10, CR7’s first year in Spain after leaving Manchester United, they played together at Real Madrid.
“When he scored three, he wanted four, so that was a big quality – and he’s still doing it at his age,” he said of Ronaldo with Al Nassr despite a successful career.
Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the field on March 7, 2025, against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League after scoring 25 goals in 30 games for Saudi football club.
