English international Harry Maguire paid a glowing tribute to his former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo during a recent interview. Maguire hailed Ronaldo as the best player he has had the privilege to play alongside throughout his career so far.
In response to a query about the best player he’s shared the field with, Maguire unequivocally named Cristiano Ronaldo. “I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of good players. But I’ve to go with Cristiano Ronaldo. Obviously, he’s a legend of the game and probably the greatest ever to do it,” Maguire expressed.
This candid reflection comes months after a bitter ending to Ronaldo’s second stint at Manchester United. Ronaldo, who was the highest goal scorer for Manchester United during the 2021-22 season, was idolized by many within the squad including Maguire.
🚨HARRY MAGUIRE:
“He (Cristiano) is a legend of the game & probably the greatest ever to do it.”
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) November 7, 2023
However, this isn’t the first instance where Harry Maguire has expressed his admiration for the prowess and impact of Ronaldo. Maguire referred to Ronaldo during a period when the defender faced severe criticism from fans and pundits alike.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to play football, and I have seen him criticised day in, day out,” Maguire reflected. The defender drew strength and motivation from Ronaldo’s experience, highlighting the resilience required in the face of unrelenting scrutiny and criticism.
Once former teammates, the reference to Ronaldo’s experiences in dealing with criticism served as a source of inspiration for Maguire, instilling in him the fortitude to weather challenging times and strive for continuous improvement.
Harry Maguire’s unexpected tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo’s monumental milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievement of marking his 200th appearance for the Portuguese national team back in June 2023 was not just an occasion celebrated by his fans, it also saw a surprising yet heartwarming message from his former Manchester United teammate, Harry Maguire.
During a Euro 2024 qualifier back in June 2023, Portugal’s iconic captain sealed a remarkable victory against Iceland with a late 90th-minute goal, marking his 200th appearance for his nation. The goal not only secured a 1-0 win but also extended Ronaldo’s international goal record to a staggering 123.
To commemorate this special milestone, Ronaldo took to Instagram to share an engaging video montage of the best moments of his illustrious international career.
View this post on Instagram
Among the many responses to this tribute, an unexpected congratulatory message from Harry Maguire stood out. Despite previously suggesting a possible power struggle between the pair during their time at Manchester United, Maguire’s message modeled solidarity and respect. “Some achievement,” Maguire responded to Ronaldo’s post, accompanied by clapping and fire emojis.
Early reports of an alleged power struggle between Maguire and the Portuguese superstar at Manchester United have suggested tensions in the dressing room over the club’s captain and leadership role. But despite saying they felt Ronaldo’s authority was marginalized because of his presence and influence, Maguire had denied the claims.