Podence writes a letter to Cristiano Ronaldo: “Unlike many people...”

Daniel Podence appealed, on Saturday night, to social networks to address a farewell letter to Cristiano Ronaldo, following the decision of the 41-year advance to leave the national selection. In a long testimony, Podence highlights the less visible side of CR7 and thanks for the inspiration, recalling the longevity of the compatriot with whom he came to share spa in the selection. 

“Very difficult to write you a farewell in these terms. Nothing sounds right, nor can it convey what you did for us or for me, as a country, citizens or players/sporters. Let alone thank you properly. It is inconceivable to let you go like this and say only “you will miss it very much” or “it was huge, we will miss it very much”. When, in fact, you have earned the right to continue doing what you like most, for those you like, where you like and for as long as you want”, you started by writing Podence. 

“ But, of course, I can't help but dedicate a few words to you at a time when you say good-bye to a career in selections, where I've probably lived one of the greatest pleasures of my life. To be honest, I do not know what will be more significant for me: to have represented Portugal or to have shared with you the locker room and so many other moments. It may seem excessive, but this is the greatness I see in you. Why? Maybe because when I got to Sporting (because you were also trained there, handpicked by Mr Aurélio Pereira), as a kid, you were the one in the mouths of the world, whether in United or already in Euro 2004. I was 9 years old!”, he added. 

“Perhaps because, when I came to professional, in the same club as you, after 10/11 years of hearing about you and drinking what you drank, while conquering countless individual and collective trophies, like endless Gold Balls and Champions, I realized how difficult and amazing it was to get to where I had come,” he said, pointing to the side that not everyone knows. 

“Perhaps because when I met you, unlike what happens to many people, I realized how smart, ambitious, lowly q.b. and different you are. And I accepted that perfectly, as well as all your flaws. Defects that also helped you be the best ever. Maybe because you started playing football before me, I'm already in the 30's and you're still playing, on an incredibly good level. And more than half of the world has no idea of the difficulty that this represents and what it requires”, he said.

“Perhaps because what you did and conquered had never been seen by any human being in the world, let alone by a Portuguese person. And just now, I was talking about Golden Balls and Champions with a levity and normality that are not, never were, supposed or even real. With this, you made me and millions of Portuguese talk, believe and live football and life in a completely different way from everything that had been possible until then. You made us dream of things from your first European with the Selection. I was 9 years old!", highlighted. 

“ How is that even possible? And again, perhaps because, year after year, being now the first, now the second best in the world, you were always up there, sustained by your discipline, necessary arrogance, belief and faith. Features with which I identify a lot. For these few “maybe”, I thank you so much for sharing so many moments with you, inside and outside the field! For being who you were and you are! And for having inspired me to be better all my life. It will always be little to say that I will miss you within the four lines... But again, I'm grateful I lived in the same era as you! And, like you said, in 20-30 years, I'm gonna be in some tavern talking about you and what I saw you do. With pleasure. Thank you Bicho”, shot Podence.