New Match of the Day host Kelly Cates is used to asking the hard questions – just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
The presenter has been confirmed as one of three new hosts alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan to take over from Gary Lineker next season.
The trio will split hosting duties across Match of the Day, MOTD: Champions League, and Match of the Day 2.
All three presenters boast a wealth of presenting experience, with Cates – daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish – to continue her role at Sky Sports.
Having interviewed a number of world class players from her career, the 49-year-old has revealed one awkward encounter lives long in her memory.
Flash back to March 2008, and Cates drew an amusing reaction from Ronaldo following his dazzling display for Manchester United in a 4-0 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring with a backheel flick, before assisting each of the next three goals for Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.
Then at Setanta Sports, Cates questioned Ronaldo as to whether he meant his strike – prompting a stunned reaction from the Al Nassr forward.
Cates recalled the infamous encounter to FourFourTwo when asked to comment on the best goal she has seen live.
She said: “One of the most memorable was years ago, I think it was against Aston Villa and it was pouring with rain.
“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.
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“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****** kidding me? Yeah I meant it!’
“It’s more the shame of it all that stays with me!”
Just months after Ronaldo’s man of the match display against the Villans, he helped United lift both the Premier League and Champions League.
As for Cates, she continued to work as a reporter at both club and international level, before linking up at Sky Sports in 2016 where she became a lead presenter for the broadcaster’s Premier League coverage.
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Speaking of her upcoming role in presenting the iconic football highlights show, Cates said: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment.”
Before adding: “We are all friends and we’ve known each other for a long time and that’s a really lovely part of it.
“Not only is it a great role just on its own, but I’m sharing it with two people I really admire, respect and genuinely like. It’s a great set-up.”
