During his time playing against Manchester United, James Maddison, the Tottenham star, surprised everyone by breaking his usual practice and making sure Harry Maguire reserved Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt for him. Maddison, a dedicated collector of match-worn kits for his jaw-dropping games room, had idolized five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo while growing up. Now, the England midfielder found himself with the opportunity to play against his childhood hero during his time at Leicester City.
Expressing his deeply felt admiration for Ronaldo’s attitude toward being the best, the 27-year-old midfielder revealed how he felt it was crucial not to miss out on the opportunity to add Ronaldo’s shirt to his collection. For Maddison, a Red Devils fan in his youth, the chance to obtain Ronaldo’s shirt was a sentimental gesture, rooted in his deep appreciation for the footballing great.
Noting the significance of Ronaldo’s influence on his love for the game, Maddison commented on the captured moment, stating, “I loved Cristiano growing up as well, just because of the United thing. I used to watch his [free-kicks] on YouTube every day at school.” This further emphasized the depth of emotion and nostalgia Maddison felt towards the Manchester United legend. It was this deep-rooted connection that led him to ensure he would secure Ronaldo’s shirt during his second stint at the club.
Maddison’s passion for the game also extended to an admiration of Ronaldo’s free-kick technique. Maddison remarked on the difference between his precision and whippy technique and Ronaldo’s trademark knuckleball, stating, “The knuckleball, that’s out of my wheelhouse. He was the first one I saw to do it, he might have nicked that off someone else and kept it to himself.” Maddison’s analysis of the technique provided further insight into his keen respect for Ronaldo’s unique skills.
The manner in which Maddison sought to obtain Ronaldo’s shirt emphasized the role that Ronaldo played as a source of inspiration throughout Maddison’s career. By taking this bold step to secure Ronaldo’s shirt, Maddison paid homage to Ronaldo’s influence on his love for the game.
