Cristiano Ronaldo has long been celebrated as one of the greatest players in football history, but his fiery personality and competitive edge have often drawn criticism. Recently, former Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani revisited a tense encounter with the Portuguese icon, branding him “an arrogant guy” while recalling a heated on-field incident.
Walter Pandiani recalls fiery clash with Ronaldo
Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Pandiani revealed that the incident took place during a La Liga clash when Real Madrid faced Osasuna. The atmosphere was already tense, with the home fans showing hostility toward Ronaldo from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. According to Pandiani, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star reacted by targeting the crowd during his warm-up.
"The Osasuna players are very passionate, they would whistle and insult him as soon as he came out to warm up. That made him angry and, while he was practising free kicks, he would shoot at people," Walter Pandiani explained.
The hostility spilled onto the pitch, where Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly pushed Pandiani’s teammate Javier Camunas. Defending his colleague, Pandiani confronted Ronaldo, which triggered a heated exchange.
"During a foul in Madrid's favour, Cristiano pushed my teammate Javier Camunas and I went to defend him. I pushed Cristiano, he asked me who I was and how much I earned."
Locker room tunnel altercation
The tension didn’t end on the pitch. Walter Pandiani revealed that the argument continued in the tunnel, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos clashed with him further.
"The argument continued in the locker room tunnel with him and Sergio Ramos. I was very angry and so were they. I didn't like his attitude at all. He was an arrogant guy. As a goalscorer, he was great, but his behaviour left a lot to be desired."
Pandiani also recalled how then-Real Madrid manager José Mourinho dismissed the altercation, suggesting that the Osasuna striker was simply seeking attention.
"Afterwards, Jose Mourinho said I was looking for free publicity even though I had been playing in the first division for eleven years. It was very unpleasant."
Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatness overshadowed by controversies
While Ronaldo’s achievements on the pitch—five Ballon d’Ors, multiple Champions League titles, and record-breaking goal tallies—remain unmatched, stories like Pandiani’s highlight the controversies that have followed him throughout his career. For many, his relentless will to win is part of what makes him a global superstar. Yet, for opponents like Walter Pandiani, his conduct in high-pressure moments paints a different picture.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy as one of football’s greatest is unquestionable, but his fiery temperament has left a trail of disputes and clashes with fellow professionals. Pandiani’s account adds another chapter to the long list of controversies that have surrounded the Portuguese legend—cementing his image as not just a prolific goalscorer, but also one of the sport’s most polarizing figures.