ANY stresses or strains Cristiano Ronaldo feels seem to melt away when he reignites his “bromance” with Diogo Dalot.
Fans homed in on Ron greeting his former Manchester United team-mate with a beaming smile, huge embrace and mischievous antics during training with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked so happy to see Diogo Dalot again 😅 pic.twitter.com/dZf9nyp44F
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 23, 2023
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner goes into Thursday’s opening Euro 2024 qualifier with Liechtenstein as the world’s joint-most capped player ever on 196.
But Ronaldo bounced around as if it was his first call-up when he engaged with the defender he has publicly described as his favourite squad-mate at Old Trafford.
The 38-year-old’s brutal departure and ensuing move to Al-Nassr was forgotten as he grabbed Dalot for some physical banter.
One observer said: “Ronaldo and Dalot bromance is giving me life.”
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
A second fan posted: “Football is great with CR7.”
But a few noticed how Ronaldo’s reaction looked more joyous than that of a more-restrained Dalot.
One got straight to the point: “The way Dalot took Ronaldo’s hand off his shoulder…”
And another claimed: “Dalot didn’t seem as thrilled as him… ”
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
Some fans homed in on a side-story – a painful few seconds when keeper Jose Sa when he held his hand out high for Ron to shake but got no response.
Viewers were quick to say he was “left hanging”.
Ronaldo accused United chiefs of “betraying” him” and claimed manager Erik ten Hag “disrespected” him during his decisive talkTV interview with Sun columnist Piers Morgan last November.
But now the Real Madrid and Juventus legend Ronaldo describes his disappointing second spell at Old Trafford as “part of my growth” and insists his exit left him a “better man”.
And his bond with Dalot looks as fresh as ever.
That’s not surprising as Ron picked out the 24-year-old when asked to name his top Red Devils’ team-mate shortly before he left Old Trafford.
He said: “I can mention probably Dalot. Diogo Dalot is an example. He is young, but he is very, very professional.
“And I’m not doubting that he’s going to have longevity in football because he’s young, he’s smart, intelligent, and is very professional.
“You have a few more, but like him it’s difficult to say… probably [Lisandro] Martinez, and Casemiro and he’s in his 30s – but I will say Dalot.”
