Capello on Ronaldo: why the best player in his career was sold by Real.

According to The Sun: Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello claims that Ronaldo was the best player he ever worked with, even though he decided to sell him when he weighed 94 kg and 'partied every night.'

Ronaldo is considered one of the strongest footballers in history, and he spent his best days at the Madrid club.

Reuters

Critical period in Ronaldo's career

In his first four seasons at Real, Ronaldo scored 100 goals, but soon problems began to arise in his personal life.

Ronaldo, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, gained fame for his nightlife in Madrid, becoming the target of criticism due to his weight.

Capello worked with Ronaldo only in the player's last season at Bernabeu (2006-07).

That season turned out to be unsuccessful for Ronaldo — he played only 13 matches before moving to AC Milan for a modest price of £4.95 million.

The Italian coach admitted that although Ronaldo remained the best he ever worked with, his physical condition did not allow him to stay at the club.

“I told president Florentino Perez that we need to sell him when Ronaldo got up to 94 kg and refused to lose weight.”

Capello added: “Ronaldo was the best player I ever coached. But he loved parties — he was wild.”

At that time, Capello helped Real win the La Liga title that season, while Ronaldo continued to face challenges at AC Milan.

After Real

At the Italian club, he spent only two seasons, scoring just nine goals in 20 matches before moving to Corinthians in Brazil.

His exit from Real marked the beginning of the decline of his career: after leaving Milan, Ronaldo played just two more years in Brazil before retiring in 2011.

The player constantly suffered from injuries during his appearances, and during the retirement announcement, he noted that his body could no longer withstand the demands of modern football.

Ronaldo finished his career with 352 goals, two World Cup victories, and 11 club trophies.

Capello previously expressed the opinion that Ronaldo was a “negative leader” in Madrid due to his late-night habits that affected other players.

“We had to part ways with him because he was not a leader. He was a negative leader because every night he went to the villa with six or seven players…party, party, party.”

The former coach of AC Milan and Juventus also noted that he advised then-club president Silvio Berlusconi not to sign Ronaldo in 2007, but his advice went unheeded.

“I warned him against this, saying that Ronaldo is a big party, and he only thought about women. He replied to me: 'Okay, thanks, Fabio.'”

All Ballon d'Or winners of this century

• 2024: Rodri, Manchester City and Spain
• 2023: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina
• 2022: Karim Benzema, Real and France
• 2021: Lionel Messi, PSG and Argentina
• 2020: Award not presented
• 2019: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2018: Luka Modric, Real and Croatia
• 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real and Portugal
• 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real and Portugal
• 2015: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real and Portugal
• 2013: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real and Portugal
• 2012: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2011: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2010: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2009: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina
• 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United and Portugal
• 2007: Kaká, AC Milan and Brazil
• 2006: Fabio Cannavaro, Real and Italy
• 2005: Ronaldinho, Barcelona and Brazil
• 2004: Andriy Shevchenko, AC Milan and Ukraine
• 2003: Pavel Nedved, Juventus and Czech Republic
• 2002: Ronaldo Nazário, Real and Brazil
• 2001: Michael Owen, Liverpool and England
• 2000: Luis Figo, Real and Portugal

Capello's reflections on Ronaldo illustrate how personal problems can impact the careers of even the most talented athletes. Despite on-field achievements, the player's lifestyle hindered his ability to maintain form, leading to his moves to other clubs and the rapid decline of his career. According to Capello, it is essential to consider not only sports successes but also personal aspects that can significantly affect a player's professional path.