Ronaldo Nazario Surprises Fans by Naming Unexpected Player as His Greatest Teammate
Real Madrid legend Ronaldo Nazario didn’t hesitate as he snubbed Zinedine Zidane when picking his best-ever teammate.
Having won two World Cups, two Ballon d’Ors and scored over 350 career goals for both club and country, Ronaldo Nazario is undoubtedly one of the greatest players that football has ever seen.
Another player who regularly features in discussions about football’s greatest talents is Ronaldo’s former teammate Zidane, widely regarded as perhaps the best midfielder of all time.
However, despite playing alongside numerous football legends throughout his illustrious career, the Brazilian striker made a surprising choice when asked to name his best-ever teammate.
The Shocking Choice That Left Football Fans Stunned
Ronaldo and Zidane shared the pitch at Real Madrid between 2002 and 2006, making 140 appearances together and combining for 31 goals. Their partnership was part of the famous "Galacticos" era at the Bernabeu.
Yet when asked about his greatest teammate, Ronaldo overlooked Zidane, as well as other legendary names like:
- Luis Figo
- Romario
- Rivaldo
- Raul
- Youri Djorkaeff
Instead, the Brazilian phenomenon named former PSV striker Luc Nilis as the best player he ever played alongside.
"I played with people like Figo, Romario, Zidane, Rivaldo, Djorkaeff and Raul, but nobody was like him," Ronaldo explained in an interview with Sport TV. "He was simply fantastic, certainly the best teammate I’ve ever had."
Both Ronaldo and Nilis arrived at PSV in 1994 and spent two years together before the Brazilian legend moved to Barcelona. During their partnership, they formed a lethal attacking duo:
- Nilis scored 44 goals
- Ronaldo netted 54 times
- Together they won the KNVB Cup
Nilis continued his success at PSV after Ronaldo’s departure, winning the Dutch championship and later forming another productive partnership with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Belgian striker eventually moved to the Premier League to join Aston Villa in 2000. Tragically, his career was cut short just weeks later when he suffered a double compound fracture of his shin – an injury so severe it forced him to retire from playing.
Despite this devastating end to his playing days, Nilis remained in football, taking on various coaching roles and assistant manager positions, including a return to PSV. At Aston Villa, he’s remembered as a cult figure, with fans often wondering what might have been had his career not been cut short.
Ronaldo’s unexpected choice highlights how personal chemistry and on-field understanding can sometimes outweigh trophy collections or individual accolades when players consider their most valued teammates.
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