Ruud van Nistelrooy had a glorious career before stepping into the world of management.
The Leicester manager played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Van Nistelrooy broke various records and has acted as an inspiration for Leicester legend and fellow prolific striker, Jamie Vardy.
Given how good he was in his prime the Dutchman also had the pleasure of playing with some very good players and one legendary teammate stuck out in particular.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy named Real Madrid legend as best player
It will be no surprise to hear that when Van Nistelrooy was picking a player, it was someone who donned the colours of Real Madrid.
His time at Man United aligned with the early days of Cristiano Ronaldo, so it was never going to be him.
Instead, the player he picked was someone he only spent one season with, but is regarded as the best of all time.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s Five podcast in 2021, he said that Ronaldo Nazario was the player that impressed him most.
MORE LEICESTER STORIES
“I signed there and of course Ronaldo Fenomeno was there,” Van Nistelrooy explained. “The thing is he already had so many injuries on his knee, his weight, people know all about it. But then we do four v four in training… oh my god Rio.”
Ferdinand asked if he’d have been left ‘screaming’ had he been training with Ronaldo and the Foxes boss replied: “No I was screaming. I’ve been applauding, I’ve been screaming, I’ve been bowing. I was like, ‘okay you’re pulling this off now, you at your best? Oh my, that is impossible’. This is the best ability I have seen in my life.”
Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images
Ronaldo’s incredible career in numbers
There’s no doubting how good Ronaldo’s career was.
Injuries somewhat hampered him but his ability was there for all to see.
Barring his time at AC Milan, the Brazilian averaged a goal every other game, or better, at his various clubs.
Club Apps Games Assists
Cruzeiro 47 44 N/A
AC Milan 20 9 4
Barcelona 49 47 13
PSV 57 54 7
Corinthians 69 35 7
Inter 99 59 10
Real Madrid 177 103 34
He also thrived on the international stage and won two World Cups with his national team, but one trophy he never won was the Champions League.
As for his time with Van Nistelrooy, the two only had one season together, but any defence coming up against that much talent would’ve been a frightening prospect.