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<\/p>\nFormer Real Madrid forward Ronaldo Nazario has offered glowing praise for Florentino Perez while speaking at the closing of the first day of the World Sport Summit in Dubai.<\/p>\n
In front of an audience filled with executives and industry leaders, the legendary striker reflected on his career, his life after football, and the figures who shaped modern football as we know it.<\/p>\n
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Ronaldo began by speaking about his lifelong relationship with the game and how football has remained central to his identity even after retirement.<\/p>\n
\u201cFootball has been my great passion and continues to be so. Now I also like to play tennis, but football is my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on Real Madrid<\/p>\n
The former striker, who starred for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter, then turned his attention to his time at the Bernabeu and the impact Real Madrid have had on football\u2019s global image.<\/p>\n
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Reflecting on his education away from classrooms and textbooks, Ronaldo explained,<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t go to university because at 17 I was already playing for PSV Eindhoven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy MBA (or master\u2019s degree) has been playing around the world, learning from presidents, marketing directors, and financial directors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Madrid, it was very special because, for the first time, a president changed the world of football in every way \u2013 Florentino Perez, who is the best president I have ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n
How Perez changed football<\/p>\n
Ronaldo has nothing but praise for Florentino Perez. (Photo by Angel Martinez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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Ronaldo went on to describe how Perez\u2019s vision reshaped both Real Madrid and the wider football industry.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the club\u2019s financial situation at the time, he told the forum,<\/p>\n
\u201cReal Madrid owed \u20ac300 million. Florentino sold the Ciudad Deportiva for that amount and bought another piece of land next to the airport (Valdebebas).\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe invested in great players, first signing Figo, then Zidane, me, and Beckham. The four gal\u00e1cticos. He changed the way people see football.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been the biggest change in the football industry. Football has moved the way we see it now because of Florentino Perez. He is like a father to me, and we have a great friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the Galacticos<\/p>\n
In a lighter moment, Ronaldo also revisited the Galacticos era and its unique financial structure, revealing with humour,<\/p>\n
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\u201cBeckham and I had more income from sponsors, and we shared it with the club. So I can say that I played for Madrid for free [laughs].\u201d<\/p>\n
The atmosphere turned nostalgic when footage of his famous 2003 hat-trick at Old Trafford was shown. Ronaldo summed up the moment with genuine emotion, saying,<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the most special moment I\u2019ve ever played away from home. All the United fans were applauding me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey showed me great respect. British fans, along with Brazilian fans, are the best in the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n