The president of Real
Valladolid, Ronaldo
Nazário, great friend of Maradona With whom he kept a close relationship, he asked this Tuesday that the former Argentine player be remembered “for how much he contributed to so many people” and not for what he did in his private life.
“Diego leaves an unforgettable legacy in football and changed the lives of many people,” including Ronaldo's, for which he has shown his “eternal gratitude” for the inspiration he provided him, he stated during a press conference in which he has insisted that “each one leads his private life as best he can, and should not be judged for it.”
He has recognized that his death has affected him a lot and that it took him by surprise, leaving him with a “deep sadness”, since “he was a close, spectacular, happy and joyful person who fell in love with us all, who has left an incredible legacy”, for what his loss is “something unfortunate and very hard,” he added.
Ronaldo has recalled an anecdote that has made him emotional, and that took place “one of the first times” in which 'Pelusa' traveled to Madrid to visit him and watch a football match. At the dinner they shared, he asked him about the origin of the legend of “always wearing two watches.”
“Maradona told me that his daughter gave him both watches and that's why he never took them off. But when dinner was over he gave me one of them and I didn't want to accept it. He got angry and I kept it. I'll keep it all my life like I remember his generosity, kindness, and the human being that he was, “he said.
Spoke to him three months ago about a player
The Brazilian star wanted to send an affectionate greeting to his family and friends “because he was always very aware of them, since he was someone very familiar” and will keep in his memory “the many anecdotes and laughter” that they have lived together since, in the last ten or fifteen years they shared “many events, meetings and celebrations.”
Ronaldo spoke with Maradona “about three months ago” to ask him “about a midfielder of his, of whom he spoke wonders” and told him what he was doing at Real Valladolid: “he showed me all his support and made himself available to help me as much as I could. “
The close relationship between two of the best soccer players in the world has made Ronaldo defend the figure of Maradona tooth and nail “as someone who changed the lives of many people for the better”, and that is why he has warned that “the action in his defense, which Argentina has carried out, should spread throughout the world. ”