Alvaro Morata has reflected on Cristiano Ronaldo’s character off the pitch, praising the Portuguese forward for his generosity during their time together at Real Madrid.
The Spanish striker said Ronaldo often supported younger players in the squad and explained why he considers him the greatest player in history.
Morata revealed that Ronaldo regularly took teammates shopping and gave them gifts such as iPads, mobile phones and perfumes.
He described the gestures as “spectacular” and said Ronaldo always treated him well during his early years at the club.
Speaking on the “El Camino de Mario” podcast, Morata looked back on his development at Real Madrid and the role Ronaldo played in helping him settle into the senior team.
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He said Ronaldo paid close attention to younger players, especially during pre-season tours, but also demanded high standards from everyone around him.
Morata admitted he initially struggled with those demands as a young player coming into a dressing room filled with established stars.
“I remember when I was young and we went for pre-seasons, he would tell me what I needed or we would go shopping,” Morata recalled.
“He would give us an iPad, a mobile phone, perfumes… it was spectacular.”
“In the first [stint], I was very young and perhaps I wasn’t used to the demands that a player of his level imposes,” he explained.
“There are times when, perhaps, a kid who comes off the bench… shoots at the goal because his friends or family are in the stadium. It’s normal that the demand is incredible, but with me he always had exceptional treatment.”
Morata added that Ronaldo’s discipline and lifestyle stood out during their time together.
“You’d arrive from a trip at five in the morning, eager to get home and lie down in bed, and the guy starts doing sit-ups, cold showers, and cycling,” he said.
“A guy who does that… I can’t say he’s not just the best I’ve ever played with, but the best of all time.”
