2026-01-04
The Costa Rican soccer player Francisco Calvo lived a special night in the Saudi Arabia Super League when coming face to face with Cristiano Ronaldoin a match that left more than a 2-2 draw between
The Central American defender was not only a protagonist on the field of play, but also attracted attention for a conversation he had with the Portuguese star in the midst of the match.
The Costa Rican defender, who currently plays in Saudi football, shared the details of that dialogue from Saudi Arabia in an interview with Grupo Extra. The talk took place in the middle of a controversial action in the game, when a soccer player from Al-Nassr He had been expelled, a decision that generated debate among the protagonists.
According to Calvo, it was his own Cristiano Ronaldo who approached him to express his point of view on the play and defend his teammate: “They had sent off a player and Cristiano told me that he thought it was not a red and that the left back was a good boy. He was explaining to me how he interpreted the play and I told him that I was on the other side of the action and had not been able to see it, that the referee was going to make the best decision. In the end, the referee took away the red and showed him yellow,” he explained.
Beyond the specific anecdote, the defender highlighted the attitude and closeness of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, emphasizing that it was not an isolated episode. For Calvo, sharing the court and dialogue with Cristiano Ronaldo It represents an experience of high football and human value, especially for a Central American player who has built his career in demanding leagues around the world.
“What did I feel about Cristiano? He is a guy you can talk to, very professional. We had already talked in other games and I must say that he is very accessible. Playing against the best in the world is very nice, you have to enjoy it and learn from these experiences,” added the Costa Rican, making evident the admiration and respect that exists between elite soccer players, even when they defend rival shirts.
The meeting before Al-Nassr also allowed Francisco Calvo measure themselves against other figures of international weight who accompany Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi club, like João Félix, Marcelo Brozović and Kingsley Comannames that reflect the growth and media and sports projection of the league.
At the end of the match, another moment that caught attention was the absence of the traditional exchange of shirts between Calvo and Cristiano Ronaldo. The player himself explained why that gesture was not given. “I didn’t ask for the shirt, but I did want a photo for my son. In the end it wasn’t possible because there were a lot of people. They had told me yes, but they took him somewhere else, he had already gotten on the bus and it couldn’t be done. It will be left for next time,” he commented.
