Former Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he misses fans at stadiums because he likes getting jeered when he is on the ball.
Although the Juventus forward is undoubtedly among the greatest players of all time, he is often booed by rival supporters when he receives the ball, many times in a tongue-in-cheek, playful manner.
After being awarded Globe Soccer's Player of the Century accolade in Dubai on Sunday, Ronaldo was asked how he finds playing in empty stadiums these days, to which he responded by admitting that he enjoys the experience of getting jeers and boos from crowds.
"For me, I have to be honest, to play in an empty stadium is boring, in my opinion," he said at the Globe Soccer Awards, according to Goal.
"We, the players, respect all the protocol and health is the most important thing of all, of course, but I don't like it, to be honest.
"I do it first of all because I love football. My passion is always football. I play for my family, my kids, my friends, the fans. But I don't like it, to be honest. It's so weird.
"I like when people boo Cristiano. When I touch the ball they 'boo', I like it. I hope in 2021 they can change the rules and we can see the stadiums full of people."
