It looks as though Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho’s obsession with No.7 jersey and Cristiano Ronaldo continues.
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut with Red Devils last season was the front-runner to inherit the coveted No.7 jersey worn by club legend Ronaldo till the latter left for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
With Ronaldo’s departure, who will inherit the No.7 jersey had become a subject of intense speculation in the British media as well as among United fans.
For there is a reason too. It is a jersey which carries lot of history and heritage as before Ronaldo, it was worn by other club legends like David Beckham and Eric Cantona in the past.
But in a move which caught everyone by surprise, United management handed over the coveted No.7 jersey to Mason Mount, who had just been signed from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Many United faithfuls were unhappy with the decision as they felt Garnacho was the natural successor to No.7.
United has allotted the Argentinian winger jersey No.75 for the new season.
Viral video
But that has not deterred the enthusiasm of Garnacho, who was seen practicing with the No.7 Al Nassr jersey of his idol Ronaldo.
In a viral video which has taken internet by storm, Garnacho is seen practicing in a backyard with his brother Roberto in fading light with the Ronaldo jersey on.
The No.7 Al Nassr home jersey has blue sleeves and shoulders, with a fluorescent yellow main body.
Generally, fans flock to stores to buy the jerseys of their stars, but to see Garnacho doing the same came in as a bit of surprise.
Ronaldo has always worn the No.7 jersey, which has often led to him earning the sobriquet CR7.
Legacy jersey
The 38-year-old has a long history with No.7 jersey, some kind of a legacy he has built as he has been wearing the same number during his club stints with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus as well as the Portuguese national team.
When he abruptly ended his second stint at Old Trafford and moved to Al Nassr, the club captain – Uzbekistan’s Jaloliddin Masharipov had no qualms whatsoever in handing over the coveted No.7 jersey and the captain’s armband to Ronaldo.
In fact, the club placated Masharipov by giving him jersey No.77, but the Uzbek said he has no complaints whatsoever as he was handing the No.7 jersey back to the man who deserved it most.
“Before Ronaldo’s arrival, many people asked me, ‘Will you give him the No. 7?’ How can you not give it?! He is Cristiano Ronaldo! Such players should always be respected. I gave my number without any problem. I only changed my number because Ronaldo came. This guy is one of the two best players in the world. There is no need to talk much,” Masharipov had said while vacating the No.7 jersey.
Garnacho may not have got the No.7 at United, but he still has a lot of respect for the number as well as Ronaldo as evident from the video.