How a strange case of stolen sandwiches almost ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s career before it begun
Posted Friday, September 23, 2016 by Dreamteamfc.com
We all know Ronaldo didn't have the easiest start in this world.
He was born into a dilapidated shack on the island of Madeira, where money was tight and life was hard.
Forever.
When Ronaldo signed for Sporting Clube de Portugal, his golden ticket had arrived.
But his progression in Lisbon was not straight-forward.
He struggled with the trauma of leaving his mother and his homesickness actually tempted him to quit the club.
His team-mates weren't much help, ribbing him in training and teasing him for his coarse Madeiran accent.
Then there was the stealing.
Sporting coaches came close to turfing him out on numerous occasions, after he was caught nicking iced tea, yoghurts and the lunch of a sick, young team-mate.
Luckily his talent saw him through.
In his first ever training session, experience first-team players stopped and applauded one of his more outrageous tricks.
And in the space of just one season, he was promoted from the Under-16s to the first team.
He never looked back.
During his time at Sporting Cristiano Ronaldo lived in the small fishing town of Alcochete, just over the river Tagus from Lisbon, where he often returns to visit his favourite restaurant.
One day the Sporting fans hope he'll return for good.
To see out his career at the team where he's still a fully signed-up member of the supporters club.
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- Cristiano Ronaldo
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