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Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most recognisable names in world football and although Indian Super League clubs haven't exactly tapped into the Real Madrid superstar's global brand, they have at least tried to rope in his former teammates - players who are real good to have played alongside Ronaldo - over the league's three-year history.
With the ISL set to enter into its fourth season this year, a handful of clubs have signed foreign players who were teammates of Ronaldo in the past. From Mikael Silvestre to Siamo Sabrosa, a host of Ronaldo's former teammates for both club and country have featured in the past seasons of the ISL, and the forthcoming campaign promises to be no different.
With over ?150 crores spent by the ten ISL franchises this summer in player recruitment, it is no surprise that a few of the foreign signings stand out, a big criterion for which is being a former teammate of the world's current best player.
Without further delay, let's take a look at the top four ISL 2017-18 foreign signings who have played with the legend that is Cristiano Ronaldo.
#4 Marcos Tebar - FC Pune City
Tebar, who played for Delhi Dynamos last season, is back in India for a second spell in the ISL and this time out, it is FC Pune City who have secured the Spaniard's services for the 2017-18 season.
Tebar started out at Real Madrid and came through the ranks at the Spanish capital outfit and played a handful of first team matches under then Los Blancos manager Manuel Pellegrini. Tebar eventually had to move out of Real Madrid for better playing prospects but he certainly earned a lot more stripes than he normally would have by playing alongside Ronaldo, albeit in non-competitive fixtures.
#3 Henrique Sereno - Chennaiyin FC
The Portuguese defender won the ISL title with ATK last season and was a commanding presence at the back for the Red and Whites. That command of his own penalty box was what prompted Portugal manager Paulo Bento to hand Sereno his international debut in June 2013. Alongside Sereno in the Portugal squad was one Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although Sereno's career at the top was a brief one, his first Portugal game against Croatia - an international friendly - was decided by a Ronaldo goal. The new Chennaiyin FC signing played the entire second half in a game that Portugal won, and that one appearance alongside Ronaldo is clearly Sereno's claim to fame, despite big achievements elsewhere.
#2 Dimitar Berbatov - Kerala Blasters
Although they spent only limited time together on the pitch, the prospect of Berbatov and Ronaldo in the same playing XI was a dream to watch, as Manchester United fans would attest. The Bulgarian is by far the biggest signing for the 2017-18 ISL, and it is his calibre and pedigree that saw him rub shoulders with the best in the world during his prime.
Berbatov was once the best striker in the Premier League and United were almost unbeatable when he and Ronaldo were on the pitch together. A points-per-game ratio of 2.44 is what normally wins Premier League titles and that was the kind of performance United were delivering when Berbatov and Ronaldo were on the pitch together. Kerala Blasters fans would not mind history repeating itself again.
#1 Wes Brown - Kerala Blasters
Brown and Ronaldo played on the same team a whopping 153 games for Manchester United and is the runaway leader in this list. The now 37-year-old was a key presence in the Red Devils' defence during Ronaldo's six years at the club and it is incredible when you note that out of the Portugal captain's 291 United appearances, more than half were with Brown.
Kerala Blasters have roped in Brown for the upcoming season in a bid to get more experience and security at the back. Moreover, Brown's profile has also meant the Blasters have signed more than a footballer and his previous connection with Ronaldo has certainly helped.
