Dutch wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt, who claimed a few weeks ago that Cristiano Ronaldo asked him to join Juventus, has now revealed he idolised the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar.
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The 19-year-old Ajax Amsterdam star is yet to decide which club he is joining next season, with the likes of Juve, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona. Paris Saint-Germain and United said to be interested in him.
In a recent interview, the teenager explained how quickly his rise in football has felt, saying he realised it when he was having dinner with some of his old friends a few weeks back. He then elaborated on their conversation, and claimed Ronaldo was someone he always looked up to.
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"Everything is going fast," he said, according to the Daily Mirror.
"During the season, in the club and during the various competitions, you don't really have time to think about it.
"However, sometimes I realise it, as recently when I had dinner with my childhood friends who I used to play with.
"We came to the conclusion that I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo when we played soccer in the garden. Especially during the period when he played at Manchester United.
"Even my first football shirt was his.
"That dinner took place immediately after the two challenges against Juventus, in which I had to face Ronaldo."
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According to reports, Ronaldo told the centre-back to join the Bianconeri after the Netherlands' defeat to Portugal in the final of the UEFA Nations League earlier this month, and it could turn out to be a moment that could prove key in where the defender takes his career next.
Do you think Ronaldo's words may have all but secured De Ligt's move to Juve? Let us know in the comments section below.
