New Match of the Day host Kelly Cates recalls the time she upset Cristiano Ronaldo in awkward post-match interview
- Kelly Cates is set to be one of three hosts to replace Gary Lineker on MOTD
- She has recalled an awkward encounter she had with Cristiano Ronaldo
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates has spoken out about an awkward encounter she once had with Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of her imminent switch to host Match of the Day.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed earlier this month that Cates is set to be one of three hosts of the BBC flagship show alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan when Gary Lineker steps down from his current role at the end of the season.
Cates, who is the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, has fronted Sky’s coverage for a number of years and presents 5 Live Sport for BBC radio.
She is set to continue her rise in 2025, but it has not always gone swimmingly for the experienced broadcaster.
She has now recalled the moment she got on the wrong side of Ronaldo after he scored an incredible backheel flick goal for Manchester United in their 4-0 win against Aston Villa in March 2008.
Reflecting on the best goals she has ever seen live, Cates told FourFourTwo: ‘One of the most memorable was years ago, I think it was against Aston Villa and it was pouring with rain.
Kelly Cates has recalled the time she upset Cristiano Ronaldo after a game
Cates questioned whether Ronaldo meant to score a backheel flick against Aston Villa in 2008
Ronaldo was not happy with Cates’ suggestion that his sublime goal was a fluke
‘Cristiano Ronaldo sort of backheeled it, he did something strange. In the commentary they said, “I’m not sure how deliberate it was” or something like that.
‘The reason it sticks in my mind is because I did the post-match interview and asked, “Did you mean it?” He went, “Sorry?” I didn’t think he’d heard, but he had and he was like, “Are you f***ing kidding me? Yeah I meant it!” It’s more the shame of it all that stays with me!’
The incident occurred almost 17 years ago, and Ronaldo has since had a second spell at Old Trafford and left again, but Cates still remembers how it all went wrong in their interview that day.
It has not held her back, though, as she has gone to on become of the most popular presenters in the country, leading to her landing the biggest gig of her career.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo remains firmly in the headlines, and raised eyebrows with his comments on a range of topics at last week’s Globe Soccer Awards.
The Portuguese star appeared to pitch himself as a new owner to fix United amid their mounting problems under Ruben Amorim.
He also labelled the Ballon d’Or ‘unfair’ as he insisted Vinicius Jr should have won it ahead of Rodri in October, and aimed another dig at Ligue 1 by claiming ‘France only has PSG’.
He has previously hit out at the French league after his great rival Lionel Messi played for PSG between 2021 and 2023.
Ronaldo caused a stir at last week’s Globe Soccer Awards as he spoke about former club Man United, the Ballon d’Or being ‘unfair’ and took aim at Ligue 1
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Messi has now moved to the US to play for Inter Miami, and Ronaldo could be looking for a transfer himself following reports he is open to leaving Al-Nassr.
However, it is understood that he would prefer to stay in Saudi Arabia as he wants to win the league before departing the Middle East country.
