Aina Names Ronaldo As Toughest Opponent, Hazard As Best Teammate

Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has revealed that Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is the most challenging opponent he has faced in his professional career.

The 29-year-old full-back made the admission during a lively rapid-fire interview with Hayters TV, alongside his teammates Nikola Milenkovic and Dan Ndoye. When asked to name the best player he had ever come up against, Aina paused before settling on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“That is tough. Over my whole career? I would go for Cristiano Ronaldo,” Aina stated.

Aina previously faced Ronaldo in December 2018 during his tenure with Torino, when the Portuguese forward was playing for Juventus in Serie A.
While Ronaldo earned the nod for his most formidable rival, the accolade for best teammate went to former Chelsea star Eden Hazard. A product of the Chelsea academy, Aina didn’t hesitate when questioned about the most gifted player he’d shared a dressing room with.

“Eden Hazard. I brag about that one,” Aina said with a smile, humorously adding that despite being part of the Chelsea setup during Hazard’s glittering spell – which included a Premier League title in the 2016/2017 season – he never managed to get the Belgian’s phone number.

“I do not have Eden’s number, you know. I have yours, best player in Serbia,” he quipped, turning to teammate Milenkovic.

Aina made his senior debut for Chelsea in August 2016, featuring three times for the first team before seeking regular playing time elsewhere. After a permanent move to Torino in 2019, he established himself in Serie A before returning to England permanently with Nottingham Forest.

The defender also reflected on his personal highlight at Forest, pointing to his stunning strike against West Ham. “My 30-yard screamer into the top corner against West Ham. I love it. It was a good one. Personally, I watch it back a lot. Yes, all the time,” he admitted.

When it came to the toughest team he has faced, Aina named Inter Milan, while revealing that English legend David Beckham was the player who first made him fall in love with football.