Hector Cuper, the former manager of Inter Milan, has opened up about his complicated relationship with Brazilian superstar Ronaldo during his tenure at the club. In a recent interview, Cuper shared insights into the dynamics of their interactions, particularly regarding Ronaldo’s reluctance to adhere to team protocols.
Cuper recounted a notable incident involving the team’s fitness regimen: “The first thing I do when I arrive at Inter is send everyone to the scale with Professor Alfano. At one point, Ronaldo came in and said, ‘No, I’m not weighing myself.’ This led to a conversation—not quite an argument. When I asked him why, he replied, ‘I don’t weigh myself because then they’ll criticize me for weighing too much.’ So, I decided to clear the gym of the entire team and stayed alone with him and Alfano to weigh him. Eventually, he agreed to step on the scale.”
The coach emphasized that while he aimed for uniformity in team rules, managing a player of Ronaldo’s caliber presented unique challenges. “The initial idea is that rules apply to everyone, but at Inter, there was another issue because you could have a player who is an exception,” Cuper explained. He noted that he had other star players like Vieri and Cannavaro but maintained that it wasn’t a dramatic situation.
Cuper also touched on the broader context of managing star athletes: “It was like when players went to Brazil; there were those who drank soda, and I didn’t interfere. The problem arises when they drink four liters of it. Now there are more demands; it has nothing to do with the current situation.”
