Is CR7 ‘Annoying’ When Not Winning? Telles Responds

Alex Telles has played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United and Al-Nassr, making him well placed to determine whether Cristiano Ronaldo is “annoying”

Telles was joined at Old Trafford by Ronaldo in 2021, having been in England for a little under a year at that point, and has subsequently been reunited with the Portuguese in Saudi Arabia after making his own move to the Middle East in 2023.

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Telles has told Sapo Desporto when asked if Ronaldo can be “annoying when the team isn’t winning”, with the 39-year-old famed for demanding the best of himself and those around him: “He is a born captain and leader, everyone knows his way of dealing with football, due to his professionalism… And the good thing about that is that he is a positive leader, always pushing the team for the positive, he never lets the team throw in the towel. We use that as an example, he is very influential in our team, for us he is an asset.”

Telles was eager to move to Riyadh and join Ronaldo after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner persuaded him to move from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League. The left-back, 31, continued: “Cristiano Ronaldo was a very important part of my coming here. We exchanged messages beforehand. My agent was involved. But obviously, when it comes to the legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the greatness he has clearly made it easier for me to come. We talked a lot. He told me what the club was like and that he was looking forward to me coming. I’m happy to have a player and human being like him (alongside me), with all his dedication for me to come here. So all this effort I make for myself is also for him, for Al-Nassr and for all the players who are here.”

Ronaldo was suspended for Al-Nassr’s most recent game after reacting angrily to taunting from the crowd calling “Messi.” However, he is expected to return, having scored 34 goals so far this season, for Monday’s first leg of the AFC Champions League quarterfinal against Al-Ain.