Ronaldo has named Thomas Gravesen as the worst player he ever played with.
The Brazilian legend is up there with the best to ever do it, and who knows what heights he would have scaled but for two serious knee injuries. But O Phenomeno still did it at the very top over a career that saw him win trophies with the likes of PSV, Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid and Corinthians, as well as firing the Selecao to the 2022 World Cup, claiming the golden boot in the process.
But asked by former international teammate Romario who the worst player he’d ever played with was, Ronaldo singled out ex Parkhead enforcer Thomas Gravesen. The former Everton midfielder joined Real in January 2005 for £2.5million in a move that left many fans baffled. Gravensen lasted 18 months in the Spanish capital, during which time he threatened to kill Robinho after a training ground bust up and knocked out one of Ronaldo’s teeth while wrestling.
Madrid sold Gravesen to Celtic in 2006, but last just a year before being loaned back to Everton for the 2007/08 season, and rejoined the Toffees on a free the following August. But safe to say he didn’t leave a positive impression on R9 – as a player at least – after leaving the Bernabeu.
“There are a lot of them,” said Ronaldo. “There was one at Real Madrid who was a joke… Gravesen. He was a Danish midfielder. He was a really cool guy, good guy.
“A little while ago he won a $50million poker tournament or something. But in football he was very bad, he scored and he beat the hell out of people.”
Gravesen hit the jackpot after retiring to Las Vegas in 2008. It’s said the Dane has amassed a fortune of around £80million thanks to poker winnings. He counted move stars such a Nicolas Cage amongst his neighbours, but has since returned to his native Denmark.