Former Manchester United winger, Antony has spoken about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo while they spent six months together at Manchester United.
He disclosed a question he received from Ronaldo.
The Brazilian international spent six months as a teammate of Ronaldo at Old Trafford during the latter’s second tenure at the club.
The current Real Betis star has reflected on his time spent with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport.
He acknowledged that he gained significant insights from the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient.
Antony stated that he and Ronaldo frequently engaged in discussions that extended beyond the realm of football.
He recounted a particular moment in the sauna when he was astonished by Ronaldo’s physique, even as he approached the age of 40. He remarked, as cited by The People’s Person:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an exceptional individual; there is much to learn from him. He even made a light-hearted comment to me once, mentioning that people perceive him as stubborn, yet in daily life, he is quite playful. I have learned a great deal from him.
“He spoke about life, literature, and various topics outside of football. This was beneficial as it allowed me to disconnect. He would say, ‘Today we’re not discussing football.’ This enabled us to explore other significant matters.
“On one occasion in the sauna, he playfully showed me his physique and inquired if I appeared 23 years old. I felt somewhat embarrassed because it was evident how much care he invests in himself, even at nearly 40. He serves as a role model for everyone.”
Antony and Ronaldo only played together on seven occasions over six months at Manchester United. Antony is likely to be remembered as one of the most significant disappointments in the Premier League, having failed to justify his £86 million transfer fee.
The Brazilian winger made 96 appearances for Manchester United, scoring merely 12 goals and providing five assists. He has managed to somewhat rejuvenate his career at Real Betis, netting 22 goals in 67 matches thus far while also assisting on 14 occasions.