CRISTIANO RONALDO once described Fabio Paim as better than him... now the Portuguese flop is eyeing a career in porn.
Paim, 36, was a team-mate of Ronaldo's at the Sporting Lisbon academy two decades ago and featured more than 40 times for Portugal's age group sides.
He was such a promising talent he was paid £4,400 per week when he was just 13, plus a staggering £130,000 annual bonus.
Paim even had a four-month loan spell at Chelsea in 2008, but only played for their reserves during his short time at Stamford Bridge.
Ultimately, money, fame and a partying lifestyle culminated in him failing to live up to his extraordinary potential.
In 2003, Ronaldo said: "If you think I'm good, wait until you see Fabio Paim."
Yet 16 years later, after a disastrous playing career, he was put in prison for one year on drug trafficking charges.
Paim watched Ronaldo train from a window in his jail cell, a brutal illustration of their differing career paths.
Now released, he has claimed he is seeking a career in porn as a single man.
Paim was interviewed on Tiago Paiva's YouTube channel where women in bikinis surrounded the topless ex-footballer.
One of them included porn star Diana Melancia - who wears a mask over her eyes.
As part of the video Pain received a massage from the women as he soaked in the sunshine.
And he was not shy in admitting he wants to pursue a path in the adult entertainment industry.
He said: "I would like to act in a porn film.
"I'm serious, it would make my dreams come true. I don't have a girlfriend, I'm single."
Ronaldo and Paim had a social media exchange last year after the failed footballer joked the Real Madrid legend should give him one of his five Ballons d'Or.
Ronaldo responded to the story by posting: "Wtf. 👀👀👀 who is this guy?"
Paim's comments came in an exclusive interview with SunSport in the Algarve - where he now resides.
He said: "I was really special. I must be humble but this is the truth.
"Unfortunately back then there was not Instagram or Facebook, nothing was recorded like nowadays but I strongly and honestly believe that until today there was no other like me with the same quality I had.
"Cristiano, for all his effort and hard work, went to a level he deserves.
"But when I was playing, if I had the same effort and commitment, I would be better than him.
"If I speak about technique, I was better. I was a small Ronaldinho. But as we can see, it's not the technique that leads us to wherever.
"But yes at that time I was better than Cristiano. I believe he should give me one of his Ballons d'Or!"