“People don’t know him” - Bodyguard who used to protect Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on working for Portugal hero

Cristiano Ronaldo's former bodyguard, Hicham Bukhari, has recently opened up about what it feels like to work for the Portuguese superstar. Hicham, who worked with Ronaldo for four years, was responsible for ensuring that Ronaldo was never in any danger.

In an interview with Tardear, Hicham spoke highly of Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him the best boss he’s ever had. He said (via GOAL):

"He's the best boss I've ever had. People don't know him, but he's a very good person. Cris is a great person, generous, that's not how people say he is. He's always treated us well.

Protecting a public figure like Cristiano Ronaldo requires Hicham to always stay alert. He added:

“When you're going to provide protection services to someone like this, you have to bear in mind that your life will be on that person's back; you might have to give your life for the person you work for; you have to accept the risks.

He concluded by insisting that there are no people who want to kill the 40-year-old and stated that the hardest part of his job is dealing with the paparazzi.

"There are no people who want to kill him or there are no death threats. I've only had a few anecdotal situations, complications with the paparazzi, who hate me because I'm the bad guy."

According to Diario AS, Hicham said he was paid €1,000 (about $1,080) for each day working alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. As the most followed athlete in the world, security remains paramount for Ronaldo.

The new person in charge of the protection of Cristiano Ronaldo and his family is Claudio Miguel Vaz. He was appointed after reports emerged in April that the 40-year-old received death threats against his family in the country where he currently plays, Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo most recently had to call for security after he was approached by a pitch invader during Portugal’s clash with Germany on Wednesday (June 4).

When Cristiano Ronaldo’s mom revealed her son wanted bodyguards for her amid security concerns

Cristiano Ronaldo has long prioritized security for his family members. In 2016, his mother, Dolores Aveiro, disclosed in an interview that the Portuguese skipper was eager to get bodyguards for her, as he was worried that he would become a target.

She told a Portuguese interviewer (via Mirror):

“When I go anywhere, Ronaldo says: ‘A mum has to have security with her,’ but I never want to. I feel happy and don’t feel the need to have a bodyguard with me. I live very peacefully. I’m more apprehensive when I’m with Cristiano but I’ve never been bothered.”