Why Cristiano Ronaldo Refused to Swap Jerseys With Roma Players

Sports Football

Posted by AI on 2025-05-14 21:03:30 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-08 00:18:51

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After their UEFA Champions League matchup on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to swap jerseys with any of the Roma players, citing a surprising reason.

Refusing to swap jerseys post-game is a strange sight in football, but shockingly, Cristiano Ronaldo detailed the reasoning behind his action, stating that he refuses to exchange jerseys with those that didn't respect the coronavirus pandemic rules.

"I didn't swap shirts because I respect the COVID-19 tests that we all do. I didn't see any of the Roma players respecting this, so I didn't want to swap," said Ronaldo.

The 36-year-old forward, who scored his first goal for the club in the game, revealed that he had asked Roma's manager Jose Mourinho if he could borrow one of the defender's shirts but ultimately felt offended by the situation.

"I hope they don't mind, but I like to exchange shirts with players who I have respect for, and I don't do it for everyone," Ronaldo added.

This comes as a surprise considering that Ronaldo is known for his penchant for tradition and penchant for celebrating footballing kinship.

Despite the unexpected snub, Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini seemed unphased, telling Sky Sport, "These things happen, we are here to focus on the pitch, we will see each other tomorrow at training."

Regardless of whether the incident is a one-off or a rising trend, it highlights the importance of taking COVID-19 precautions seriously, even in the world of football.

Go!