Niculae also insisted that only Pepe gets along with Ronaldo in the Portugal squad, adding that the team did not accept him anymore.
The former Romanian international played nine matches with Ronaldo during their time together at Sporting CP in the 2022-2003 season.
According to him, Ronaldo was never a sociable person and used to live in his own world.
Speaking to Digi Sport Special, Niculae said (via MARCA):
“He [Ronaldo] was not a sociable person. We always tried to get him to come to the table to eat with us, but he was always in his own world. He would go to the gym alone. Sometimes, after training, we would all go out to eat, but he never came.”
He added, “I think the group did not accept him as well anymore. Pepe is the only one he gets along with. I have seen some photos, Bruno Fernandes has avoided him a bit.”