Brazil, Barcelona and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo had a reputation for his exploits off the pitch but even he was surprised by one team-mates ability to demolish his wine supply
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Updated 09:18, 28 Mar 2025
Ronaldo has spoken about how Vampeta took advantage of his wine cellar
Ronaldo has revealed that his former team-mate Vampeta took advantage of his wine cellar
(Image: Oscar J Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Ronaldo Nazario is best remembered for the magic he produced on the pitch, but also had quite the reputation for enjoying a party during his playing career. During his time at Inter Milan, however, even he was surprised by the exploits of one of his team-mates.
The Brazilian legend made a startling impact on the sport despite being ravaged by injuries. During his spell at the San Siro, Ronaldo bagged 49 goals in 68 league matches in a five-year spell but not everyone is quite capable of making that impact.
In Italy, he was joined by Vampeta, a team-mate from from the Brazil national side and his time at PSV Eindhoven. The midfielder made a quick impact to score in the Supercoppa Italiana in 2000 but quickly found himself at Paris Saint-Germain, and eventually as part of the deal that brought Adriano to the club.
That did not stop Vampeta leaving a firm impression on Ronaldo, however. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner revealed how his former team-mate cleared out his wine cellar while staying at his home.
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"He stayed at my house, and I went to Brazil. He had a wine cellar with 100 bottles, and he drank them all in two weeks," Ronaldo told Charla Podcast, via CadenaSer.
"He finished all the bottles and opened more boxes he had in the apartment until he found one that was special. It was a 1976 bottle that I bought at a restaurant in Paris for 10,000 euros.
"He and his friends opened this bottle and gave us each a plastic cup. He said it was hot and put ice in it! I couldn’t believe it because, as I said, it was just a wine for display."
Vampeta was Ronaldo's team-mate at PSV, Inter Milan and with Brazil
Vampeta was in the Brazil squad that won the World Cup in 2003 with Ronaldo
Having a good supply of drinks at his home was one way Ronaldo ensured he could enjoy a party while still a professional. During his time at Real Madrid, the 48-year-old would fly to Paris for a night out before jetting back to the Spanish capital in time for training to avoid prying eyes.
"I played on Saturday and then went to Paris. I spent Sunday in Paris and went to the party that night," he s.aid. "At seven in the morning, I took the plane to Madrid and arrived at nine in the morning with training at 10. I did this many times.
"In the city you play in, you either have a party at home or you’re dead. So I branched out and travelled."
Former Real Madrid and England boss Fabio Capello was one figure who was left pulling his hair out over Ronaldo's antics. The Italian admitted he never coached a better player but also that none of his stars landed more problems at his doorstep.
"The greatest talent I ever coached was Ronaldo," Capello told Sky Sport Italia. "But at the same time he was the player who created the most problems for me in the dressing room. He used to throw parties and do everything."
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