Atalanta's Robin Gosens opens up on 'embarrassing' Cristiano Ronaldo shirt swap snub

Atalanta defender Robin Gosens has lifted the lid on the failed post-match shirt swap with Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo that left him feeling 'ashamed'.

The German discussed the incident in his biography, Dreams are Worthwhile. As a huge fan of the Portuguese international, the 26-year-old approached Ronaldo to ask him for his jersey following Atalanta's 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Juve in January 2019, only to be snubbed by the legendary forward.

The passage reads, (as quoted by Goal): "After the game against Juventus, I tried to fulfil my dream of having [a] Ronaldo jersey. After the final whistle I went to him, having not even gone public to celebrate...but Ronaldo did not accept. 

"I asked: 'Cristiano, can I have your shirt?' He didn't even look at me, he just said: 'No!'"

Gosens, whose side currently sit above Juventus in the Serie A table, spoke of how he felt following the former Real Madrid star's abrupt response.

"I was completely blushed and ashamed. I went away and felt small. You know that moment when something embarrassing happens and you look around to see if anyone noticed it? That's what I felt and tried to hide it."

Atalanta currently occupy third place in the Italian top flight, two points clear of Andrea Pirlo's Juventus in third, although the reigning champions have a game in hand. Finishing above Ronaldo's side may feel that bit sweeter for Gosens if La Dea can hold onto their current position following shirt swap snub.

While some may be shocked by Ronaldo's blunt response to his opponent's post-match request, you could argue it is to be expected from somebody so obsessed with winning who has just suffered a heavy defeat.