Vacuum Left by Ronaldo: Vallejo Reflects on the Leadership Void in Real Madrid After Cristiano’s Departure

Former Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo shared his insights on the impact of forward Cristiano Ronaldo‘s departure in 2018.

«The departure of Cristiano was a significant challenge for us, as he was a prolific scorer. His exit left a void that took time to fill. He was a leader both on and off the pitch. I tried to adopt some of his habits.

He would arrive early to the locker room, but he didn’t do many physical exercises before training. Later, at home, Ronaldo focused more on strength training, yet prioritized field practice. Cristiano understood when to give his all and when to conserve energy. In that regard, he was extremely professional,» Vallejo remarked in an interview with The Athletic.

Ronaldo played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, appearing in 438 matches across all competitions, where he scored 450 goals and provided 131 assists.

Ronaldo posing with the Nations League trophy: