Roma striker Paulo Dybala admits he once told Cristiano Ronaldo that he hated him as a kid and opens up about wearing Francesco Totti’s No.10 in the Capital.
La Joya and Ronaldo spent three years at Juventus and there were reports they were not on good terms. However, during his latest interview with DAZN, the Argentinean revealed he’s never had problems with the Portuguese superstar.
“I spent three nice years with Cristiano, the team was very strong and he added something more,” he said.
“There’s a big rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo in Argentina. Once, we were flying out for a game, I was sitting at the back of the plane and he was slightly ahead. At some point, he came to me, we spoke about life in general for a while, and I told him: ‘As a kid, I practically hated you.’ We laughed about it and we’ve always been on good terms.”
Dybala joined Roma as a free agent last summer, after the end of his contract with Juventus. “People are so pumped up here, it’s unique to hear them sing the anthem before kick-off. It’s like staring at a piece of art,” he said.
“When Pinto called us and this opportunity emerged, I thought about movies about Rome and the gladiator’s mask. I could not avoid thinking about it. I told myself I had to do something in this city.”
Working with José Mourinho is one of the reasons why Dybala, who had been in talks with Inter and Napoli, completed a move to Roma, signing a three-year contract.
“He [Mourinho] has an important image and power for all he represents. He is very good when he speaks and when he wants to get inside somebody,” admitted Dybala.
“I’ve felt a special feeling, it’s hard to find someone who speaks sincerely. And almost everything he says happens on the pitch. After all, he’s won in almost every team he’s coached.”
However, he once argued with the Special One while playing for Juventus.
“It had never happened to me, but when we played Manchester United in the Champions League we argued, but it all remained on the pitch.”
Dybala has scored 16 goals across all competitions this season, while his strike partner Tammy Abraham is struggling with consistency.
“Tammy is a young player, but with plenty of experience, surely we can do even more than what we are doing,” admitted La Joya.
“We are getting to know each other and we try to do our best, hopefully, we can score the goals we need to reach the Champions League.”
Roma have not retired their iconic No.10 which, however, has not been chosen by any player since the Italian legend retired in 2017.
“Roma’s No.10 will forever belong to Francesco Totti but never say never,” said Dybala when asked whether he’d choose it one day. “Wearing it would be a unique responsibility.”