How Ronaldo was forced into tears at Manchester United

Behind every footballing legend lies a story of struggle, and for Cristiano Ronaldo, one of those moments came during a fiery training session at Manchester United.

According to former teammate Louis Saha, an intense clash with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy once left a young Ronaldo in tears.

The emotional incident, reportedly taking place shortly after Ronaldo’s father passed away, saw van Nistelrooy’s competitive nature push the future five-time Ballon d’Or winner to his breaking point.

Known for his ruthless hunger for goals, van Nistelrooy clashed with the rising star, sparking an argument that escalated to the point where Ronaldo broke down. Saha, who witnessed the fallout, believes van Nistelrooy likely regrets his harsh words—especially considering the sensitive timing of the row.

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Despite the heated exchange, this turning point arguably helped mold Ronaldo’s fierce determination. As Saha puts it, Ronaldo was always an “animal” on the pitch—driven not just by his immense talent but by a relentless work ethic that saw him evolve into one of football’s greatest icons.

The pair would later reunite at Real Madrid, where Ronaldo’s tearful past with van Nistelrooy was overshadowed by their shared pursuit of glory. Looking back, what was once a moment of pain for Ronaldo may have been the fuel that helped him reach unprecedented heights.