One of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex-teammates has given some key advice about the Al Nassr changing room…
Don’t get naked.
Ronaldo is enjoying his adventure with Al NassrAFP
The locker room is the inner sanctum on matchdays and at training. It’s where players, and coaches, prepare for games – and then get changed after a taxing 90 minutes.
They are a place where, usually, no holds are barred.
Whether that’s a rollicking from a manager telling you, ‘You’ve got to die to get three points out there’, or it’s just a friendly prank.
The secrets of the dressing room, though, are rarely told.
But Alex Telles has got some important advice for anyone joining Ronaldo at Al Nassr… and the Saudi Pro League in general.
He told Globo Esporte: “In Saudi Arabia, the shower is separate and closed. Even when changing clothes, people wear towels…
“I went there for the first time, which was normal, but they immediately told me, ‘don’t do that, the guys don’t like it, leave the towel on’.”
Young Brazilian star Wesley joined Al Nassr at the end of August and when asked what advice he would give his compatriot, Telles knew exactly what to say.
“Give him a shout and say, ‘don’t stand there naked in the middle of the changing room’…”
Wise words indeed.
Ronaldo famously keeps himself in tip-top shape but clearly doesn’t get naked in the changing room in front of his teammatesInstagram @cristiano
Telles, nudity aside, appeared to love his time alongside Ronaldo with Al Nassr.
He admitted the Portugal icon was a key reason behind his decision to join the Saudi Pro League club.
Telles said: “He made it easier for me to go [to Al Nassr], he called me beforehand and said, ‘come here, let’s enjoy it here, the country is opening up to football, more people are coming…’
“An invitation from him, like that, there’s no way to refuse… It was easy.”
Telles is now plying his trade back in his homeland Brazil with Botafogo after having his Al Nassr contract torn up.
But we doubt he’ll be taking a towel with him.
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