Why Cristiano Ronaldo ate grass at Juventus! Bizarre behaviour explained after Portuguese GOAT was left 'annoyed' by Maurizio Sarri

All-time great Ronaldo moved to Italy in 2018 when bringing a record-shattering spell at Real Madrid to a close. He had spent nine memorable years at Santiago Bernabeu, becoming the most prolific scorer that the Blancos have ever seen, racking up an astonishing 450 goals. Few could have predicted that his next port of call would be in Turin with Juve.

A stunning deal was completed, with CR7 eager to test himself in another country while adding to his impressive collection of major honours. Across three seasons with the Bianconeri, he won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia. His most prolific campaign was enjoyed in 2019-20, when finding the target on 37 occasions across all competitions.

That was also the year in which former Chelsea manager Sarri oversaw events in Turin. He lasted less than one full season at the helm - having seen schedules around the world impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic - with a Champions League last 16 defeat leading to his ultimate sacking.

Ronaldo's somewhat strained relationship with Sarri may also have contributed to his demise. It has been revealed that the evergreen frontman did not always agree with the demands of his coach. CR7 did not take kindly to being told what he should do on the field, with his remarkable record speaking for itself.

Ronaldo quite literally took matters into his own hands when it came to offering a response to Sarri. Frabotta has told Corriere della Sera of working with CR7: "[Ronaldo was] an everyday example. One of his gestures really stuck with me.

"During a tactical drill, Sarri was showing him the movements he was supposed to make on set pieces. He was a bit annoyed. He didn't need instructions; he was different. He could feel inside where the ball was going to end up. To make the coach understand, he tore up some grass, smelled it and chewed it."

Ronaldo reportedly said when munching on some training ground turf: "I like to understand the pitch, and where the ball goes."

The Portugal international became a centurion during his time with Juve, netting 101 goals through 134 appearances. The scudetto that he lifted in 2020 under the guidance of Sarri remains the last that the Old Lady of Turin secured. Ronaldo then left for a second spell at Manchester United in August 2021.

An emotional reunion with the Red Devils did not play out as planned, with Ronaldo seeing his contract torn up in November 2022 after enduring a frustrating return to English football. Frabotta suffered similar struggles after severing ties with Juve.

He linked up with West Brom in 2024, but saw regular game time hard to come by with the Championship outfit. He headed home in the last transfer window when signing for Serie B side Cesena.

Frabotta said of his time at The Hawthorns: "After some positive months in Cosenza (during a loan spell in 2023-24), I accepted the offer from West Bromwich. It didn't go well. I met people who turned out to be disrespectful towards me.

"Even if I felt good and trained at my best, I was never taken into consideration. It was frustrating, and I felt powerless. I was far from Italy, the climate was different, I hardly went out, and I didn't know the language. I felt alone, but I decided to fight back."

Having enjoyed his time working with Ronaldo, Frabotta is among those keeping a close eye on how the Portuguese legend is faring in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. CR7 has, at 40 years of age, committed to a new two-year contract there until 2027, which will take him through and beyond next summer's World Cup as he continues to chase down 1,000 career goals. His last appearance against Al-Fateh rang up 800 club goals, the first ever player to reach that incredible mark.