Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
The UEFA Champions League draw took place today for the ‘league phase’ of the competition in Monaco, with Real Madrid learning their eight opponents for the first round.
As part of the draw festivities, Real Madrid legend and Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was invited and awarded a special trophy for being the highest goalscorer in the history of the competition.
Speaking after receiving the award, the legendary forward made it a point to acknowledge and show his gratitude to Real Madrid where he completed football.
“I have to mention Real Madrid, I won four Champions League trophies there.”
Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia, was then asked about a potential return to Europe in the future, to which the 39-year-old astonishingly said,
“Return to Europe? Let’s see what happens in the future.”
Turning the clock back to his days in the Spanish capital, the Al Nassr star talked about the pressure on his shoulders when he first arrived in Madrid.
“I won four Champions Leagues at Real Madrid. I felt the pressure in those years when I arrived, I was the most expensive player, we didn’t win but in the end, we did. We got into the winning mode.”
Finally, Ronaldo was jovially asked if he had space in his trophy cabinet to accommodate the latest entrant, to which he said,
“Space for this trophy? Yes in my museum in Madeira, you can go visit (laughs).”
As part of the draw, Real Madrid found out their eight opponent for the upcoming league stage of the UEFA Champions League.
With Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Atalanta among their opponents, it will be anything but an easy road to the knockouts.
