Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'

CRISTIANO RONALDO avoided a Champions League final disaster against Liverpool, thanks to a man dubbed "football's secret weapon".

Posted Friday, November 02, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

Back in May, Cristiano Ronaldo played a vital part in Real Madrid's Champions League heroics.

Zinedine Zidane's side walked away from Kiev with the trophy having defeated Liverpool 3-1 in a sensational game.

But things could have been a lot different, according to the man who works closely with the La Liga giants.

Terry Nelson, a former private in the British Army Parachute Regiment, is the man often referred to as "football's secret weapon".

He is the founder of Aqua Running, a revolutionary suit used for the treatment and prevention of injuries.

"There is something Liverpool didn't know," he told StarSport exclusively.

"The week before the Champions League final, Ronaldo was carrying an injury.

"And in that week he was in my suit every day running in the pool.

"Whenever the players get any type of knock, the first thing they do is get in the water as its low impact.

"Then it's just rest and ice to help them get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'
INJURED: Terry revealed Ronaldo has a last-minute setback

The suit, which is designed with thick padding on the shoulders, trunk and thigh area, reduces the wearer’s weight in the water by 90% which allows for increased speed, strength and agility.

And while Terry revealed Real Madrid are the team he works with the most, they are not the only side to benefit from his invention.

He also boasts clients closer to home, including Manchester United, Arsenal Liverpool and the England national team.

For Terry, it's all part of his story to help others overcome tragedy.

As a young man, he was very active in sports – playing for Liverpool's under-18 team in the 1980s before signing up for the army.

Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'
INSPIRATION: Terry works with a vast amount of people

Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'
CURE: The suits allow players to recover from injuries quicker

He revealed to Daily Star Online how his team-mates used to joke about his appearance – dubbing him "elephant man".

But he later found out his abnormalities were actually the work of a blood disorder and doctors gave him six months to live.

Luckily, his brother Denis stepped in and donated a kidney.

But as a result, he eventually lost his right leg, his hearing and was fitted with a pacemaker.

Now Terry is determined to help others and is looking to break into the US market in a bid to help injured veterans.

Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'
PROUD: Terry holds up his Aqua Running suit

Real Madrid insider drops BIG Cristiano Ronaldo claim: 'Liverpool didn't know'
MATES: Terry has worked with a number of Real Madrid players

He will train 50 ex-soldiers throughout the United States and set them up with their own rehabilitation and fitness training business.

"Who better to work with than veterans?” he asked.

"When you have served your country, whether it be for the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force, you learn discipline and a work ethic that is like no other."

"Ex-servicemen and women will have witnessed injury and trauma first-hand, so they already understand the needs of our clients and feel the same dedication that I do in making sure that we get these suits to every injured military member who needs it throughout the United States.”