But now he is helping other footballers ensure they are not victims of their own success following his personal scam struggles.
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Nardiello, 40, progressed through the Red Devils academy and made four first-team appearances but none in the Premier League.
The last of those came in a shock 2-0 defeat to West Brom in the 2003-04 Carling Cup, Ronaldo’s first appearance in the competition.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Portuguese superstar, who went on to win eight major honours under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford before joining Real Madrid in 2009, lasted 77 minutes before Nardiello came on for the final minutes.
The Coventry-born attacker recalled the match and said: “I remember him signing, he was in and around the club but I didn’t realise I’d come on for him.
“I remember coming on, West Brom is not too far from where I grew up, so I knew a few people in the stadium. But I had no idea I’d come on for Ronaldo.
“You knew he was good, but you’d never predict he would go on to do what he’s done, one of the best players that’s ever lived. But who could predict that?
“He was a tall, skinny teenager, younger than me with broken English. He was impressive.
“I remember always seeing him in the gym, working his butt off, he’s always had that work ethic and that’s why he’s done what he has. He’s got unbelievable ability, but he went that extra mile.
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“Fergie always used to say you can be an unbelievable player, but if you haven’t got that work ethic, you won’t get anywhere.
“Ronaldo took that on board, or had it built in him, and he worked and worked. He’s still an absolute machine. But that’s what all elite athletes have to be like.”
Nardiello had loans with Swansea and Barnsley from United, before making the switch to Oakwell permanent in 2005.
He went on to enjoy a journeyman in the EFL with spells at QPR, Blackpool, Exeter, Rotherham, Bury and more.
The three-cap Wales international retired in 2017, finishing his career with Bangor City.
Now, though, he is helping footballers to protect their finances after his own turmoil with money.
‘MONEY NOW IS INSANE’
Nardiello added to the Daily Star: “I work with anybody and everybody.
“I do have quite a few footballers as clients, which is great because I can help prepare for life after football, get them saving and investing in the best possible way.
“I’ve got more than 50 professional players. But I do work with business owners, lawyers, solicitors, all sort of jobs.
“The money now is insane, but it was good money then too. All of a sudden, you’re 17 and you’re earning £50,000 a year. This is 23 years ago. It’s a hell of a lot of money.
“Players are in with their clubs a lot more often than when I was playing. You would be in at training for 10am, you’re done at 1.30pm, you’ve got all this time to kill.
“There is a lot of temptation out there. There are a lot of conmen out there, specifically when I was playing, who want to take advantage of footballers.
“I was taken advantage of when I was younger, long story short, I got 90 per cent of my money back, but it’s not always a happy ending.”
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