Legendary Portuguese footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has made a bold prediction regarding the winner of this season's UEFA Champions League.
Speaking at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on December 28th, 2024, Ronaldo confidently backed his former club, Real Madrid, to clinch the prestigious trophy once again.
Despite Real Madrid's current struggles in the tournament, where they sit precariously in 20th place with just nine points from six games, Ronaldo remains optimistic about their chances.
Ronaldo's faith in Real Madrid is rooted in their historical resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He stated, "Teams always have their good and bad moments. Now Manchester City have gone through a bad moment but they will come back. I would tell City to their players that they have to show more and not talk now."
He further emphasized, "As for Madrid, in the end they are always there, you can never give them up for dead. I would bet on Real Madrid winning the Champions League again, because all the other teams are scared when they play Madrid at the Bernabéu."
Real Madrid, known for their dominance in European football, have lifted the Champions League trophy a record 15 times. Ronaldo himself contributed significantly to this legacy, having won the tournament five times during his illustrious career, four of which were with Los Blancos. His confidence in the team is not unfounded, as he believes in their ability to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
The 39-year-old football icon also praised Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, highlighting his exceptional coaching skills. Ronaldo remarked, "When people ask me why Carlo is a good coach, I always say that he knows how to negotiate with players one by one. That is key to achieving success, so it is not a coincidence that he has won everything."
Ancelotti, who coached Ronaldo during his first stint at Madrid between 2013 and 2015, has faced criticism recently, but Ronaldo defended him, citing his intelligence and ability to manage players effectively.
Ronaldo's prediction comes amid Manchester City's recent struggles in the competition. The English club, despite their strong squad, has faced difficulties, and Ronaldo advised them to focus on improving their performance rather than making excuses. He noted, "The great players know where the problem is."
In addition to his Champions League prediction, Ronaldo also shared insights into his own career achievements. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2018, he has continued to excel, scoring 101 goals for Juventus and 74 for his current club, Al-Nassr. At the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, he was honored with the Best Middle Eastern Player and the Top Goalscorer of All Time awards, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers in history.
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