Cristiano Ronaldo has savagely fired back at claims made by Fabio Paim, who was regarded as one of the brightest prospects in football during the early days of his career.
Paim was tipped to do exploits during his career, having started as an exciting academy star with Sporting Lisbon.
Reports also indicate that Ronaldo even considered Fabio Paim to be one of the most promising young players of his generation.
However, the 35-year-old didn’t meet up to expectations, and he didn’t make any first-team appearances for Sporting Lisbon during his time at the club.
Paim went on loan to several European clubs, including Premier League giants Chelsea and Rio Ave.
During an interview on a podcast hosted by PT Clipes, Fabio Paim expressed that he deserved one of Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or trophies.
The former Oliveirense man also said that he could have been at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi “if he had half of Ronaldo’s brain”.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s response to Fabio Paim
Following the release of the video, Cristiano Ronaldo shared his response to the video, commenting with a savage response which reads:
“Wtf??? Who is this guy?”
The 38-year-old’s response, which sounds like he doesn’t know who Paim is, is coming despite several reports claiming that Ronaldo spoke highly of the Portuguese following his transfer to Manchester United in 2003.
There is a popular report in which Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly said: “if you think I’m good, wait until you see Fabio Paim”.
Meanwhile, Speaking on the podcast, Paim admitted that he didn’t reach the heights that he could have reached.
Fabio Paim said: “Cristiano Ronaldo should offer me one of his Ballon d’Ors. I went to Sporting when I was seven years old, I grew up there.
“They were years of glory in which I won everything I could. I didn’t reach where I could have reached, but I marked a generation. If people don’t forget it’s because I marked them.”
As aforementioned, Paim also added that if he had half of Ronaldo’s brain he could have become a world-beater.
Fabio Paim said: “I said when I was happy that I thought Cristiano Ronaldo could offer me a Ballon d’Or. But it was with humility. If I had half of Cristiano’s head, it wouldn’t be him and Messi.
“It would be me, him and Messi and maybe he wouldn’t have won the Ballon d’Or that he has. Maybe one of them was mine.”
Who is Fabio Paim?
Fabio Paim is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a winger, and he was born on the 15th of February 1998.
He represented over 17 clubs during his career, including; Sporting Lisbon, Trofense, Futebol Benfica, Mosta, and Torreense.
Paim also represented Portugal at junior level, and he retired in 2018, following his time with Portuguese club Leixões B.
Fabio Paim amassed just 36 appearances during his career, scoring 2 goals and providing no assist in all competitions.
