Ronaldo chews grass to show frustration with Sarri’s tactics

Former Juventus defender Gianluca Frabotta shared an unusual moment involving Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2019/2020 season. In a tactical training session, coach Maurizio Sarri was explaining Ronaldo’s movements during set pieces. Ronaldo, who felt he already knew where the ball would go, showed his frustration by tearing up some grass, smelling it, and chewing it. He later explained, “I like to understand the pitch and know where the ball will go.”

Ronaldo played three seasons with Juventus, scoring 101 goals in 134 matches. His best season came under Sarri when he scored 37 goals in 46 matches and helped Juventus win the Serie A title, their most recent title.

After leaving Juventus, Frabotta played for Verona, Frosinone, Bari, Cosenza, and West Bromwich Albion, before joining Cesena in Serie B. He reflected on his time in England, saying his experience at West Bromwich was difficult due to disrespectful people and a lack of recognition for his efforts, which made him feel helpless and lonely, but he decided to keep fighting.