Footballers really are just very normal people, and that's what I found with him. I had the chance to live and work alongside Cristiano, it was a very pleasant surprise' Alvaro Gonzalez on what Cristiano Ronaldo is really like off the pitch

"As one of the famous people on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo lives on a different plane of existence than not just most fans of the game, but most players. When the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man made the move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2023, he swapped an Old Trafford dressing room full of household names to a side consisting largely of homegrown players with a sprinkling of recognisable names."

"Beforehand, we were all in the dressing room waiting to meet him, some more nervous than others. When the moment came though, he was very approachable. He greeted us individually he said, Alvaro, how are you?', because we'd faced each other many times playing in La Liga. That he took the time to call me by my name and ask a question, when the very next day we'd be training together, made everything much easier."

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in 2023, leaving Manchester United and Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League. Alvaro Gonzalez, a former Villarreal and Spain U21 centre-back, joined Al Nassr a year earlier and expected a large club but was stunned by the scale of attention after Ronaldo's arrival. Ronaldo was unveiled before 26,000 fans in a spectacular presentation. Teammates waited nervously in the dressing room, but Ronaldo was approachable, greeting players individually and using names. Family and friends sent messages anticipating the signing. Ronaldo trained with exceptional intensity, making integration into the squad easier.

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