Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a glittering and successful spell at Real Madrid that included four UEFA Champions League triumphs, two LaLiga titles, and more than 400 goals.
Yet, despite his numerous accolades and records, there are some stories of controversy and heated altercations that continue to resurface. Recently, former Osasuna forward Walter Pandiani recalled one such episode.
The incident unfolded in the 2011/12 season, when Real Madrid were playing against Osasuna.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Pandiani, now 49, remembered how Ronaldo had been irritating the opponents with his antics and had even tried to aim free kicks at the crowd.
“The crowd there is very aggressive, and they were whistling and insulting him from the moment he came out to warm up,” Pandiani told Spanish newspaper AS.
“That p****d him off, and he was practising free kicks, shooting at people. That’s why he started the match so heated.
“During a foul against Real Madrid, Cristiano pushed my teammate [Javier] Camunas, and I went to defend him. I pushed him, and he asked me who I was and how much I was paid.
“The brawl continued in the changing room tunnel with him and Sergio Ramos. I was very angry, and so were they.
“I didn’t like his attitude at all. He was an arrogant guy. He was tremendous as a goalscorer, but his behaviour left a lot to be desired.
“Then [Jose] Mourinho came out and said I was looking for free publicity after playing in the First Division for eleven years. It was very unpleasant,” Pandiani concluded.
Real Madrid went on to lose the game by a margin of 0-1, and it proved damaging for the Los Blancos, as Barcelona went on to clinch the title by four points that season.