Portuguese midfielder Rony Lopes is probably one of the very few Monaco players who aren’t supporting the French side in the Champions League clash against Manchester City tonight.
The player spent some of his youth years at City, and that’s why newspaper Record picked him for an interview about the game.
When asked about who will he be rooting for, he’s not afraid of saying it’s not Monaco: “It’s a mix of feelings and I won’t root for any of them. I admire Manchester City and Monaco a lot, a draw would be good, so let the best win. They are two teams who play good football with excelent players, who can decide the knock-out at any time”.
Lopes joined City in 2012 from Benfica’s Academy. He was only 17 at the time, and stayed at the club until 2014, when he was loaned to Lille and then sold to Monaco for €12m in the following season.
He spent only one year at Monaco before being sent on loan to Lille again, so maybe that’s why he’s not so keen on supporting them.
Despite having made only five appearances for the Citizens, he claims that period was very important for his life.
“I was very happy in England, I learned how to play a new football and the big learning I had is that who works ends up being rewarded. But everything has an end, it’s part of life.
“My younger brother is still studying in England and my mother lives with him. I’d like to play in the Premier League again, preferably at City because the fans already know me”.
