‘Our idol’: Townsend shares what Everton players said about Ronaldo’s return

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Everton winger Andros Townsend has shared that Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United was ‘literally all we were speaking about’, as he told talkSPORT (07/09/21 at 9:35 pm).

The 30-year-old claimed that Ronaldo is ‘our idol’ and when initial rumours surfaced that he could join Manchester City, then the Everton players were questioning ‘why would he do that?’.

Ronaldo is edging closer to making his second Premier League debut when his Manchester United side takes on Newcastle at 3 pm this Saturday.

Those at Sky and BT Sport are probably crying in their sleep because the game isn’t going to be televised live in the UK.

Nonetheless, this is what Townsend had to say about Ronaldo’s return to England’s top-flight and the reaction from the Goodison Park dressing room.

“I think everyone is a bit giddy,” said Townsend. “My era, growing up, 15, 16, it was Ronaldo’s prime at Manchester United. Inventing a new way to kick the ball.

“He was our idol going up. It’s amazing, hopefully, for me, to share the pitch with him.

“I think everyone, up and down the country, it was a conversation. I think we were travelling for an away game and we heard the news ‘Ronaldo to Manchester City’, so we are discussing everything that goes with that. ‘Why would he do that?’ and ‘would he end up ruining his legacy?’

“Then we turned on our phones, bang! It was so quick. The news has broken about Manchester United. Then a few hours later, he was signed. It was literally all we were speaking about.”

It won’t be too long before Townsend gets his chance to pit his wits against Ronaldo because his Everton side travels to Old Trafford in October.

It’s fair to say that many Premier League players, up and down the land, will be looking forward to facing off against Ronaldo for the first time in their careers.

Given that the Portugal superstar has already smashed the Premier League record for shirt sales, he might also smash the record for most times an opposition player asks him for his shirt this season.

There’s no doubt that a countless number of players will be queuing up after the full-time whistle to possibly get their hands on his match-worn shirt.