Real Madrid’s all-time highest goal-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Los Blancos for Italian Champions Juventus in a 117 million Euro summer deal, sent a message of support to his former club ahead of the El Clásico.
Speaking to AS, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said, “I have a lot of respect for Barcelona” before adding, “but I carry Real Madrid in my heart. Which is why I hope today’s game is a happy one for Madrid.”
Earlier, Real Madrid defender Marcelo had accepted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from the club came as “a surprise” to everyone, but the Brazilian believes “the club is bigger than any player”.
After CR7’s departure from Madrid, the La Liga giants did not sign any marquee player to replace him and their decision has come back to bite them. Real Madrid is having the worst start of the season. The club is placed at the seventh spot on the La Liga table.
Despite Real Madrid’s struggle in the post-Ronaldo era, Marcelo feels the club will recover from the departure of Portugal ace as Los Blancos have done on several occasions in the past.
“Ending our holidays and coming back to the routine of Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo was a surprise for us, we thought he wouldn’t go,” he said on the official YouTube channel of Real Madrid.
“Real Madrid is a huge club, Cristiano Ronaldo is huge too, but the club is bigger than any player. The history of Real Madrid is impressive and Cristiano Ronaldo added a piece more to the history of this club, but Real Madrid can’t stop,” Marcelo added.
He further said, “The player changes club, stops playing, retires and Real Madrid will still be here.”