The Al-Nassr striker has named his favourite stadium to score at – but looks to have earned the best atmosphere title
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he loved scoring at the Camp Nou against Barcelona.
However, the iconic forward has already crowned Celtic Park as the best atmosphere he has faced.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current Al-Nassr attacker has already declared that he considers himself to be best player that has ever lived – because his all-round attributes as a complete striker.
It’s hard to argue with CR7 as he enters the discussion alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele.
The Portugal captain boasts a bursting trophy cabinet that include five Ballon d’Ors and has won 33 major honours in his career including five Champions Leagues and the European Championships with his country.
And he has dished out his own awards – as the 40-year-old named the stadium that he enjoyed scoring most at in a sit-down with El Chiringuito.
Ronaldo – who claimed two La Liga crowns and two Copa del Rey trophies during his time in Madred – has stated that netting against Barcelona on their own turf was among the magic moments for him.
Asked if there was a better place to score than the Bernabeu, he named Catalonia: “I was on top.
They whistled at me, but I didn’t care about the insults. I was only thinking about scoring and shutting those people up. I liked scoring goals at Camp Nou more than at the Bernabeu.”
However, he has already talked up his visit to the Celtic Park cauldron naming it as the best atmosphere he has faced. Ronaldo and his United teammates rocked up to the stadium to face Celtic in 2006 in the Champions League group stage showdown.
But the No. 7 and his teammates with the Premier League heavyweights would leave stunned by Shunsuke Nakamura’s 35-yard free-kick that whistled into the top corner.
It would be a dream night for Celtic as Louis Saha saw his penalty saved by Artur Boruc in the last minute to secure a spot in the knockout stage for the first time in the Hoops’ history.
But the defeat didn’t damped Ronaldo’s spirits, as he still looks back on the game fondly. Reflecting on the game, he said: “The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there.
He would return to Celtic Park two years later with the Red Devils. This time he would see his side take a Champions League point in a 1-1 draw.
And despite loving Glasgow’s east end, he didn’t enjoy his return to the city as a Portugal player last year.
Ronaldo exploded as Steve Clarke’s battling side stood firm against the forward and his teammates as Scotland claimed their first point of the Nations League group.
The 39-year-old protested with referee Lawrence Visser throughout the game before finally reaching boiling point after the full-time whistle as he erupted.
He would throw his hands up in the air, gesturing with a thumbs down motion before storming straight down the tunnel – with boss Roberto Martinez promising to speak to the forward his tantrum.
Maybe if it was few miles down the road, Ronaldo’s antics would have been different.
