I was Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team-mate but that didn’t stop him killing me when we faced off for our countries
CRISTIANO RONALDO ‘killed’ a Real Madrid team-mate – by destroying him at international level.
But now victim Hamit Altintop hopes Turkey will be the death of Portugal legend Ronaldo‘s final World Cup dream.
Ahead of Thursday night’s play-off for a place at Qatar, former Real midfielder Altintop revealed his fear and loving for Ronaldo.
The ex-Turkey and Bayern Munich anchorman believes the Manchester United frontman, 37, is a true great of football on and off the pitch.
But Turkish Federation director Altintop says, pal or no pal, Ron crushed him when they met in a 2012 friendly.
He told the magazine Sabado: “In one against one, he killed me.”
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Altintop added: “He is big, strong and fast. He has everything a good footballer needs.
“In one-on-one it was practically impossible.”
But the 39-year-old stressed: “I played with him for a year at Real Madrid and the most important thing is that he is a good person.
“He is always happy and I feel I am proud to have played with him.
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“I wish him the best, but not in this game with Turkey.
“Cristiano is special as a player and a person. Trust me: he is a good person.”
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ron would cherish World Cup glory after winning virtually every other honour.
The former Juventus hero won the Champions League once with United, then four times with Real.
And he triumphed at the 2016 Euros with Portugal, also lifting the 2019 Nations League crown.
These matches are about quality but also team spirit, mental strength, resilience, and willpower.
Turkey coach Stefan Kuntz
Turkey coach Stefan Kuntz still rates Ronaldo as Portugal’s main dangerman.
Kuntz told his native German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung: “It is important to accept their strength but also to expose their weaknesses.
“Portugal’s coach knows what we are capable of. And we know that as well.
“These matches are not only about quality but also about team spirit, mental strength, resilience, and willpower.”