Ronaldo Nazário, known worldwide for his incredible football career, has always been a player who captures attention both on and off the pitch.
While fans usually focus on his dazzling goals and skillful performances, the Brazilian legend recently shifted the spotlight to one of his more frustrating experiences at Real Madrid.
During a podcast conversation with fellow football icon Romário, Ronaldo openly shared his thoughts on the most difficult team-mate he encountered during his time at the Spanish club—and his answer may surprise fans.
The Unlikely Name: Thomas Gravesen
When asked about his worst-ever team-mate, Ronaldo did not hesitate to name former Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen.
Despite describing the Danish player as a “cool guy” off the pitch, the Brazilian admitted that Gravesen’s footballing abilities left much to be desired.
“There was one at Real Madrid who was a joke—Gravesen,” Ronaldo revealed.
“He was a Danish midfielder. A really nice guy, but on the field, he was very bad.
He would score sometimes, but he also just beat the hell out of people.”
Gravesen’s aggressive style and unpredictable behavior clearly stood out during their brief time together.
The duo shared the pitch for one-and-a-half seasons before Gravesen moved to Celtic in 2006 after struggling to find his place at the Bernabéu.
Gravesen’s Unexpected Move to Real Madrid
Gravesen’s arrival at Real Madrid came as a shock to many.
In 2005, he made a surprising switch from Everton to the Spanish giants, shortly after a heated FA Cup clash against Plymouth.
The transfer raised eyebrows, given Real Madrid’s star-studded squad featuring football royalty like Raúl, Roberto Carlos, and Zinedine Zidane.
Reflecting on the unexpected move years later, Gravesen admitted that even he was caught off guard.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he recalled the moment his agent broke the news.
“My agent called me and said: ‘Madrid is calling.’ I thought he meant Atlético Madrid or maybe another club,” Gravesen shared.
“When he clarified it was Real Madrid, I was as surprised as anyone else.
Walking into that dressing room, sitting between Roberto Carlos and Zidane, I felt like I belonged.”
During his time with Los Blancos, Gravesen made 49 appearances and scored just one goal.
However, his legacy at the club is remembered more for his antics than his on-field contributions.
Infamous Training Ground Clashes
One of the most notorious incidents involving Gravesen at Real Madrid occurred during a training session when he accidentally knocked out one of Ronaldo’s teeth.
Despite the accident, Ronaldo laughed off the moment and described it as an innocent mishap, emphasizing that the Dane’s intentions were never malicious.
However, a more heated altercation happened during a 2006 pre-season tour under manager Fabio Capello.
Gravesen engaged in a physical clash with Brazilian forward Robinho after delivering a series of rough tackles.
Reports suggested that Robinho eventually lost his patience, leading to a fight that had to be broken up by team-mates and staff.
Gravesen’s Life After Football
Following his brief and tumultuous stint at Real Madrid, Gravesen retired from football and turned his focus to a completely different world—professional poker.
His bold, risk-taking nature on the pitch seemingly carried over to the card table.
Initially, rumors swirled that Gravesen had built a fortune worth £100 million through high-stakes poker.
However, reports later emerged that the former footballer lost £43.6 million ($54 million) in a single poker session.
Despite the financial rollercoaster, Gravesen remains a well-known figure in the poker community.
What’s Next for Ronaldo and Gravesen?
While Ronaldo continues to share stories from his illustrious career and remains involved in football as an owner of Real Valladolid, Gravesen’s life has taken a more private turn.
The former Danish midfielder now enjoys a quieter lifestyle, far from the chaotic days at the Bernabéu.
Ronaldo’s candid reflection offers fans a rare glimpse into the dynamics of one of football’s most iconic locker rooms—where even world-class talent sometimes clashed with unpredictable personalities.
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