Cristiano Ronaldo thought ex-Chelsea player who ended up in prison was better than him

dailystar.co.uk:

Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo is rightly hailed as one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the planet.But when the future five-time Ballon d'Or winner made the switch to Old Trafford in 2003, he was quick to heap praise on another that would be deemed Sporting Lisbon's finest academy graduate. "If you think I'm good just wait until you see Fábio Paím," Ronaldo said, shortly after his £12.25million arrival.Now aged 37, Ronaldo has claimed League titles in England, Italy and Spain, bagged the international goal-scoring record and lifted the Champions League trophy on four separate occasions.

Whereas Paím's sole honour is the 2008 Segunda Liga title.READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo's partner says tragic death of baby was ‘worst moment of my life’Despite the glowing recommendation from one of football's brightest stars, Paím failed to make the grade as a professional footballer, enduring a journeyman's career consisting of 19 different clubs.

The height of this came via a four-month spell at Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea in 2008, though the one-capped Portugal under-21 ace failed to make a first-team appearance.Hanging up his boots following a short spell at Liga Portugal 2 side Leixões Sport Club, it wouldn't be long before Paím hit the headlines once again.

Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã report he was arrested in 2019 on suspicion of drug trafficking.HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Ronaldo leave Man Utd in the January transfer window?