News Focus
- Fabio Capello reveals he forced Ronaldo to leave Real Madrid in January 2007
- The Italian manager claims he could smell alcohol on the striker after nights out
- Ronaldo joined AC Milan instead of moving to Saudi Arabia as originally planned
- The Brazilian scored nine goals in twenty appearances for the Rossoneri
Fabio Capello has explained why he pushed Ronaldo Nazário out of Real Madrid during his time as manager. The Italian coach, who is famous for being very strict, says he had no choice because of the Brazilian’s behaviour away from the pitch.
Capello still believes Ronaldo is the greatest player he ever coached. However, the striker loved to party too much. The manager could smell alcohol on him in the dressing room after his nights out. Other players sometimes joined him at these parties.
The former England boss tried to send Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. He spoke with Silvio Berlusconi, who owned AC Milan at the time, about this plan. Berlusconi asked how the player behaved. Capello replied that he liked to enjoy himself. The next day, newspapers announced that Ronaldo was joining AC Milan instead.
This move took the striker back to Milan in January 2007, but to the club that rivals his former team Inter. He scored nine goals and made five assists in just twenty games for the Rossoneri.
Ronaldo later returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians. He ended his professional career in February 2011.