Cristiano Ronaldo has honored his old buddy and ex-soccer teammate, Albert Fantrau in a public manner, recounting how Albert had given up his own soccer profession to enable him (Ronaldo) to attain international soccer fame today.

After Real Madrid earned their 10th UEFA Champions League title in 2014, a global audience and numerous supporters at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon were stunned when Cristiano Ronaldo left the group’s festivities and darted to a segment of the stands to embrace a person from the crowd lovingly.

In an interview, Ronaldo paid tribute to a former childhood teammate from his days at the Andorinha academy in Funchal, Madeira. He explained how his friend had selflessly put aside his own ambitions to help Ronaldo reach his full potential as a global icon.

He said, “I have to thank my old friend Albert Fantrau for my success. We played together for the same team in the U-18 championship. When a scout came to see us he said that, Whoever scores more goals will come into our academy. We won that match 3-0. I scored the first goal then Albert scored the second with a great header. But the third goal was impressive for all of us.

“Albert was one-on-one against the goalkeeper, he rounded the goalkeeper and I was running in front of him. All he had to do was to score that goal but he passed it to me and I scored the third goal, so I got that spot and went to the academy. After the match, I went to him and asked him why? Albert said that “Because you (Ronaldo) are better than me.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most accomplished soccer players of all time. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, and four European Golden Shoes, and has been named the best player in Europe a record six times. He has scored more goals than any other player in the UEFA Champions League.

He has won a record-tying five Champions League titles and has won 27 trophies in his career. He has also won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Best FIFA Men’s Player.

Cristiano Ronaldo repays Albert Frantau for his sacrifice

Reporters visited Albert’s dwelling and inquired if his account was factual. He confirmed that it was. Albert further revealed that his time as a soccer player had since ended, resulting in being out of work.

They were taken aback, asking how he could afford such a beautiful home and vehicle, given his current financial standing and the ability to provide for his family. Albert’s response was one of pride, stating that it was all thanks to Ronaldo. This could explain why Ronaldo had pulled Albert from the crowd to join in on the celebration.