Ever since the World Cup soccer wizards Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo haven’t been up to anything too useful.
As reported first hand by the great Cláudio Nogueira, a reporter for O Globo newspaper, the millionaire soccer stars of Real Madrid have made the most of their time off from training while in Los Angeles to learn our Jiu-Jitsu. And straight from the source.
While manager (and once a translator) José Mourinho’s team undergoes pre-season training in the United States, the stars of the Spanish team took advantage of a break to learn some Jiu-Jitsu, both in theory and in practice. Royce Gracie and Pedro Valente Jr taught some moves to the athletes, who showed plenty of interest.
Our GMA in Miami, Pedro, flew to Los Angeles to participate in a Royce Gracie seminar.
“I came to Los Angeles to issue a statement for the Biography Channel for a documentary on the life of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Real Madrid is here for two friendlies, one with America from Mexico in San Francisco, and another with Los Angeles Galaxy in Los Angeles. As Real Madrid is training at UCLA, where Royce is teaching a seminar, and Royce’s sons – Khonry, 13, Khor, 11, and Keydon, 8 – love soccer and play little league here in the States, Royce asked Real Madrid to let his sons meet the players. After training, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Marcelo declared themselves Royce’s fans,” reported Valente to “O Globo” by telephone.
During the meeting of aces in the two sports, Kaká and Gracie found commonalities between them, like the fact they live disciplined lives, don’t drink or smoke.
“Now Cristiano Ronaldo said that ever since he was a kid he’s recorded all Royce’s fights and was impressed by how he could beat opponents so much taller than him. Kaká and Marcelo were also impressed by the subject. Royce explained to them that he’s taught Jiu-Jitsu to American football and basketball players in the past, as athletes gain greater self-confidence knowing Jiu-Jitsu techniques,” added Pedro.
In the end the two Brazilian masters took it upon themselves to teach some moves to the two Brazilians and the Portuguese idol, who tried out a rear-naked choke. And they passed the test.
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