A Portugal star has revealed what it is like sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo.
With 53 goals for club and country in 2023 – the most by any player in this calendar year – Ronaldo appears to still be on top of his game despite being the ripe age of 38.
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The forward is on the verge of completing his first year at Al Nassr, and many, including opposition players and teammates, have since credited him for popularising and inspiring a massive influx of world-recognised stars to make the move to Saudi Arabia.
Among them is Portugal playmaker Otavio. The Brazil-born star was reportedly persuaded by Ronaldo to leave FC Porto and join Al Nassr in a deal worth €60 million (R1.2 billion) in August, instantly making him the club's most expensive signing of all time.
The 28-year-old has now revealed what it is like being teammates with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner at both club and international level.
"It's amazing. Sometimes I look and I still can't imagine I'm there. It looks like I'm dreaming," Otavio said in an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
"He has always been one of my idols, because he has always been a great player and, until today, when I talk to someone in my family, they ask me what it's like to be next to the best in the world.
"You learn a lot, you have an absurd knowledge of what football is, life, everything... We always try to absorb this experience he goes through.
"Of course, I'll never be able to do everything he did and does, because it's impossible. Only a player like him can do it.
"It's easy to say, but doing it is very difficult. The routine he has was what made him the best in the world for so long and continue, at the age of 38, to score so many goals.
"He works a lot, has a very strong mentality, no injuries... It's just for him."
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