IT doesn’t matter how big of a star you are already, when you line up against one of the greats you’re bound to be taken aback.
That’s certainly the case for Chelsea ace Romeo Lavia, who has revealed that his career highlight to date was playing against Cristiano Ronaldo.
YouTube/Rising BallersRomeo Lavia has revealed the highlight of his career so far was playing against Cristiano Ronaldo[/caption]
Lavia faced Ronaldo in a Premier League clash between Southampton and Man Utd in 2022Getty
Lavia, 21, signed for Chelsea from Southampton last season after a transfer battle between the Blues and Liverpool.
And since then he has played in huge Premier League matches against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as making his debut for the Belgian national team prior to the switch.
But despite the huge achievements in the defensive midfielder’s short career so far, he still reckons lining up against Ronaldo is his highlight to date.
Harking back to Southampton’s 1-0 defeat to Man Utd during the 2022/23 season, Lavia recalled what it was like to see Ronaldo come on as a substitute for the Red Devils in the second half.
Speaking to Rising Ballers, he said: “I think [the highlight of my career] is probably playing against Cristiano Ronaldo. Definitely.
“That moment, I remember it as if it was yesterday. When he came onto the pitch it was like time stopped.
“I wasn’t focused on the game anymore, I was just looking at him for a good two minutes.”
Adding: “In those two minutes, I’m thinking of all the goals I’ve seen on TV, all the times I went on YouTube to watch his clips, everything he’s won.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“I’m like ‘That’s him’, you know? I was buzzing.”
Lavia and Ronaldo only shared the St Mary’s surface for 29 minutes, but it was enough to leave Lavia starstruck while staring at the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Unfortunately for Lavia, he couldn’t get hold of his hero’s shirt after the game, with Ronaldo already promising it to one of his Saints teammates.
“I tried, I tried [to swap shirts], but I think he already promised it to one of the other players, it was already all done. So unfortunately, I didn’t get it”, he explained.
Now Lavia is trying to leave his own legacy in the game, with the weight of his £58m price tag still sitting on his shoulders.
The former Manchester City academy star has seen his time in West London hampered by injury.
Issues with both his ankle and hamstring ruled him out of all but one league game for Chelsea last term.
While he has managed just 10 league appearances this season too as he battles with another hamstring problem.
ReutersLavia’s time at Chelsea has been interrupted by injuries[/caption]
