Vallejo Reflects on Ronaldos Departure: A Void Left by a True Leader On and Off the Field

Former Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo shared his thoughts on how the departure of striker Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 impacted the team.

«Ronaldo’s exit was a significant challenge for us as he was a prolific scorer. His absence created a void that took time to fill. He was a leader both on and off the pitch. I tried to adopt some of his habits.

He would arrive at the locker room early, but rather than doing many physical exercises before practice, he focused on maximizing his training on the field. At home, Ronaldo would engage in more strength training, yet he prioritized on-field drills. He had a keen sense of when to give his all and when to conserve energy. In this regard, he was exceptionally professional,» Vallejo stated in an interview with The Athletic.

Ronaldo played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, featuring in 438 matches across all competitions, during which he scored 450 goals and provided 131 assists.

Ronaldo poses with the Nations League trophy: