Who would have thought that even a child would climb the wire mesh outside Maine Road just to catch a glimpse of his hero?
Richard had never experienced anything like this during his playing career. It was a rare moment—and a true eye-opener.
"Hmmm," he muttered, rubbing his chin, deep in thought.
In the Premier League alone, Ronaldo's goal tally was nearing 20. Add to that 6 goals in the FA Cup and another 7 in the League Cup, and he was on track for something extraordinary. If things kept going the way they were, a 40-goal season wasn't out of the question.
Richard suddenly felt that Ronaldo's £12,000-a-week salary was well worth it. He trained hard, gave everything on the pitch, and poured in the kind of sweat and effort most people couldn't even imagine. Sure, his nightlife and clubbing habits sometimes frustrated the coaching staff—but as long as his performances stayed this consistent, Richard didn't see any reason to complain.
