“The fans are incredible” - When Cristiano Ronaldo named club outside top 5 European leagues as team with best stadium atmosphere
Cristiano Ronaldo once heaped praise on the atmosphere at Celtic Park. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has played at some of the most incredible stadiums in the world in his career.
Ronaldo has played at Old Trafford, the Santiago Bernabeu, Anfield, Camp Nou, Wembley, and several other iconic stadiums. He won his first Champions League trophy with Manchester United at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
His fifth Champions League trophy was won at the Olympic Stadium, Ukraine, while he lifted Euro 2016 with Portugal at Stade de France, Saint-Denis. However, none of them managed to cut into his top place to play.
Speaking to the Celtic's website in 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned Celtic Park when asked to name the stadium with the best atmosphere in the world.
"The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there," said Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even though Scottish giants Celtic do not play in the top five European leagues, they have an incredible fan following. The famous stadium, known as Parkhead in the past, has also received praise from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Parkhead is THE best I've experienced. The players were just talking about that the other day - Vidic and Ronaldo were saying it's the best atmosphere they had ever played in," he said as per the Celtic's official website.
"Credit to the supporters for that because they don't half raise the roof. It's obvious the Celtic players react to it given the results they've had. You are going to have to run that extra yard or you will soon be found out by them," the legendary manager added.
Celtic are the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's record against Celtic?
Cristiano Ronaldo faced Celtic thrice in his career, all as a Manchester United player, in the Champions League. He first locked horns against the Scottish giants in the 2006-07 group stages.
The Portuguese ace was rested for the home game in September 2006, which the Red Devils won 3-2. He was in the starting XI at Celtic Park in November that year, but the Premier League giants lost the game 1-0.
Ronaldo faced Celtic again in his final season (first stint) as a Manchester United player. The Red Devils won the home game 3-0 in October 2008, but he didn't score.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner set up Ryan Giggs to score the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park in the return leg in November.
