Former Manchester United defender Willy Kambwala came across Cristiano Ronaldo when he was a teenager, with the pair clashing in training before later making up
Willy Kambwala made an early impression on Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester
Willy Kambwala made an early impression on Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester
View 2 Images
Former Manchester United youngster Willy Kambwala admits his first interaction with Cristiano Ronaldo "wasn't friendly" as the two clashed in training - before the legendary figure praised him in private.
Kambwala, who is now plying his trade in Spain with Villarreal, came through the ranks and debuted in December 2023 against West Ham when Erik ten Hag was in charge. Prior to his first outing the defender found himself mixing it in training with the first team.
As a result he came up against Ronaldo during his second stint in Manchester, but a confrontation saw things get heated. Kambwala believes the forward didn't like his physicality and the defender didn't take well to Ronaldo airing his views with the coaches.
They would later cross paths in the sauna and Ronaldo asked the defender to stick around for a chat. There he made it known how much he admired his physical approach.
Kambwala told Orange Sports: "My first contact with Cristiano wasn’t friendly. I’m a very aggressive person and I like challenges and confrontations.
"That bothered him a bit. I pushed him slightly and he got angry. He went to speak to the coach, and I didn’t like that either. After training, we met in the sauna. I got up to leave and he asked me to stay. We talked as if nothing had happened. It was amazing. He told me he admired my intensity and aggression."
Kambwala continued to get opportunities under Ten Hag but eventually moved to La Liga, where he has been far more of a regular. Villarreal's swoop could eventually see them spend £9.6million on the defender, but he's been plagued by injuries throughout this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo was impressed with Willy Kambwala - and told him so
Cristiano Ronaldo was impressed with Willy Kambwala - and told him so(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Ronaldo left his mark on Kambwala but didn't shy away from claiming that the young stars of today have it easier than he did - and he cannot see the same drive to succeed.
"I don't mean that they don't respect the more experienced players or the older players, but they live in a different era," he said on Talk TV. "I can see my kid [who is] 12 years old. The mentality is not the same, they are not suffering. Their hunger [is different]. I think they have things more easily, everything's easy, they don't suffer -- and don't care.
"I don't mean only a few in Manchester United, but all the teams, in all leagues in the world, the youngsters are not the same of my generation."