Ronaldo Nazario was lucky to play alongside some of the finest in the business throughout his career, but the Brazilian legend has revealed which former Real Madrid star was his worst teammate. During his illustrious career, the World Cup champion represented PSV, Barcelona, both Milan clubs, and the Madrid giants, winning about everything there was to win.
Naturally, playing for such teams brought him into contact with a plethora of famous players, including fellow Ballon d’Or winners Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Fabio Cannavaro. Not everyone could cut the mustard, though, with Ronaldo calling one former Madridista “a joke” and stating they were terrible at football.
Ronaldo Names Thomas Gravesen as His Worst Teammate
The Danish midfielder lasted just one season at the Bernabeu
Speaking with former Brazilian teammate Romario, Ronaldo said that former Celtic and Everton ball-winner Thomas Gravesen was the worst player he had ever played alongside. The Dane joined Los Blancos in 2005, but was moved to Glasgow a year later after failing to make an impact.
Ronaldo explained why Gravesen struck out as the worst, according to Relevo:
“There was one at Real Madrid that was a joke.” Gravesen was an excellent person. He recently won a poker tournament worth $50 million. However, he was extremely awful at football.
Gravesen, who signed in the 2005 January transfer window, is largely regarded as having contributed to one of Madrid’s worst seasons in terms of transfer transactions. Only months before, the Spanish giants had recruited English duo Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Owen, the former of whom would go on to have one of the most disastrous debuts in football history.
Thomas Gravesen’s Real Madrid career
Games
49
Goals
1
Assists
0
Yellow/Red cards
20/1
Trophies
0
Transfer Fee
£2.5 million.
As Ronaldo mentioned in his talk with Romario, the 48-year-old has subsequently gone on to make a fantastic life outside of football, having made good investments and achieved success in poker, which has increased his net worth to approximately £100 million.
