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Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly told Fabio Paim that he was the only football player better than him, but he ended up watching him train from a prison window instead.
Ronaldo and Fabio were childhood friends in Portugal but as a result of his fame, wealth, and partying lifestyle, the players' career fell into obscurity.
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22:52 - 17.10.2023
Messi named most marketable athlete in the world with Ronaldo 27th on the list
Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi has been named the most marketable athlete in the world for the second time, while Ronaldo dropped to 27th place on the list
After that, things reached their lowest point and Paim was sentenced to a year in the notorious Caxias prison.
The Portuguese now claimed that he watched Ronaldo practising with Portugal through the prison window.
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Fabio Paim speaks about Ronaldo
Paim's brilliant potential seemed destined to elevate him beyond fellow Sporting Academy prodigy and three years his senior Ronaldo.
The Portuguese was hyped by Ronaldo when he signed for Manchester United in 2003, he said, "If you think I'm good, wait until you see Fabio Paim."
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However, the player was unable to show his potential due to his extravagant lifestyle which made him end up in prison.
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10:30 - 22.12.2023
Rio Ferdinand snubs close friend Cristiano Ronaldo, names best Manchester United finisher
Rio Ferdinand has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t the best finisher he played with at Manchester United.
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16:12 - 15.10.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals: 'It is a lot'
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on the possibility of hitting 1,000 goals before hanging up his boots.
Speaking to the Sun, Paim said, “I was really special. I must be humble but this is the truth.
“Unfortunately back then there was not Instagram or Facebook, nothing was recorded like nowadays but I strongly and honestly believe that until today there was no other like me with the same quality I had.
“Cristiano, for all his effort and hard work, went to a level he deserves. But when I was playing, if I had the same effort and commitment, I would be better than him.
“If I speak about technique, I was better. I was a small Ronaldinho. But as we can see, it's not the technique that leads us to wherever.
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“But yes at that time I was better than Cristiano. I believe he should give me one of his Ballons d'Or!”
When asked if he would have won the Ballon d'Or and been considered the best in the world technically, Paim responded, “Yes, no doubt.”
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How Paim’s career fell apart
Paim failed to make even one competitive first-team appearance for Sporting, despite Ronaldo winning several awards, including winning the Euro 2016 with Portugal.
The Portuguese international joined Chelsea on loan in 2008 and was with his National teammates Deco and Ricardo Carvalho.
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Paim said that he was "overwhelmed" by wealth as he wasted his enormous on cars, women, drinks, and parties since he had never been taught how to manage his money.
Paim explained as reported by the Sun, “Unfortunately for me, I was born with talent. As I was earning lots of money, I got the illusion I didn't need the effort. It is impossible for a person like me to be a millionaire.
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10:11 - 15.10.2023
Iran denies plan to sentence Ronaldo to 99 lashes for adultery
Cristiano Ronaldo will be spared the trauma of being flogged 99 lashes after Iran clarified rumours about the Portuguese superstar being charged for hugging a married woman
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14:46 - 14.10.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo extends gap over Messi as he sets two new records after scoring against Slovakia
Cristiano Ronaldo has set two new records and has extended his gap over his rival Lionel Messi during Portugal's win over Slovakia.
“I regret some of my choices. Now I'm at a different age so can see the picture differently. The talent was there but my mind wasn't. My head was on women and partying, everywhere else apart from football.
“I played some matches but my body was not in its best shape and didn’t respond to what people were demanding from me because if I could, I would have been at Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Meanwhile, Paim's life took a turn for the worse in 2019 when he was arrested for having 5g of cocaine on him.
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He was imprisoned on drug trafficking charges for a year close to the Cidade do Futebol headquarters of the Portuguese FA before the case was dropped and was released.
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