Sami Khedira, a former Germany midfielder, recently discussed his experience at Real Madrid and playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
After joining Real Madrid from Stuttgart in the summer of 2010, Khedira spent five seasons with the club. Despite sustaining an ACL tear at the start of the season, he was a key member of Madrid's La Decima side and played a key role in their success.
Khedira started for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final, which Los Blancos won 4-1.
On the Gab & Juls podcast, the German told ESPN's Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens that he wasn't fit enough to play. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, then as now, had little choice because Xabi Alonso was suspended.
Khedira said that he had requested Ancelotti not to play in the World Cup.
"I wasn't thinking about the Champions League final after my ACL injury." I had hardly returned home when Carlo Ancelotti informed me that I would be playing in the final. Xabi Alonso has been suspended from the team. I told Carlo that I might be 60-70 percent of my normal level.' 'I need you on the pitch,' he replied.
The now-retired midfielder also revealed that a conversation he had with Cristiano Ronaldo a week before the final gave him the courage to play: "I was showering before training a week before the game when Cristiano walked in and said, 'Sami, we need you.' 'It doesn't matter if you're 70 percent; we need you on the field because you're better than the rest.' 'We require your assistance.' That gave me a lot of confidence, and hearing that from Cristiano meant a lot to me."
As Manchester United's problems continue, Sami Khedira reveals an uplifting exchange with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Five-time Winner of the Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo may go down in Champions League history as the best forward ever. The Portuguese striker has a total of 140 UCL goals to his name and has five goals for the Red Devils this season.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has struggled to elicit the same kind of response from his younger teammates, and has been increasingly agitated in recent weeks. The Portuguese were dejected in their match against Watford, especially after Bruno Fernandes denied them a free-kick. Cristiano Ronaldo is certain to be dissatisfied, given the influence he has had on world-class players in the past, and has already been linked with a summer move elsewhere. Rumors have been fueled by recent allegations of discord in the dressing room, as well as Ralf Rangnick's worries about whether the 37-year-old could lead the attack next season.
The 1-1 draw in the first leg against Atletico Madrid means there is still hope for the Champions League this season. Unless things drastically improve in the next weeks, Cristiano Ronaldo will most likely consider the season a complete failure.
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