CRISTIANO RONALDO warned Romelu Lukaku he had joined the “most defensive league in the world” after his transfer to Inter Milan.
Lukaku left Manchester United after two seasons at Old Trafford in a £73million transfer to Serie A in the summer.
Romelu Lukaku moved to Serie A side Inter Milan in the summer for £73million – and admits it is more difficult than the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And in October, the Belgian spoke with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who moved to Italian champions Juventus the previous year.
In an interview with the New York Times, Lukaku explained: “He told me this is the hardest defensive league in the world.
“He said he’d scored goals everywhere, but this was the toughest place to do it.
“And if Cristiano Ronaldo thinks it’s difficult, then it must be really difficult.
“It is harder than England. The football is more intense there, but here everything is pattern of play.”
Despite the tougher task and suffering racial abuse in Italy, Lukaku has settled seamlessly at Inter with an impressive 12 Serie A goals before Christmas – the same number he managed in his final Premier League season.
The last of those came in a 3-2 win over Southampton in March – and it was in that month that the Belgian decided he was going to leave the Red Devils.
He wanted to “start from zero” and “rebuild” his reputation.
Lukaku added: “The UK had been good to me. But I had to bounce.”
Ronaldo netted 21 times in his debut Serie A season as Juventus won their eighth Scudetto on the bounce.
But he revealed in November that he would rather not play league games and instead only play “important” matches.
The Portuguese star, 34, said: “I’ll tell you, if it were up to me, I would only play some important games. Those of the national team and the Champions League.
“It’s these kinds of games that emerge, those with a stake, a difficult environment, a pressure.
“After, you have to be pro and perform well every day to honour your family and the club you represent and who pays you for it. So, always give the best.”
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he would rather just play Champions League and international matches, leaving out league gamesCredit: AFP or licensors
Antonio Conte chest bumps Romelu Lukaku after Inter goal in Milan derby
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
