Ex-Liverpool star John Arne Riise has dished out the ultimate comeback story, revealing he encountered his childhood tormentor at McDonald’s after winning the Champions League.
Riise, a stalwart in defence for the Merseyside club from 2001 to 2008, scooped no less than seven top honours during his spell at Anfield. But it was his role in Liverpool’s stunning turnaround against AC Milan’s star-studded lineup in 2005’s Champions League final that stands tallest among his achievements.
The sweetest slice of karma, however, came courtesy of a run-in at McDonald’s back in his hometown in Norway, as Riise relished his chance to turn the tables on his bully from yesteryear. Reliving the moment, the former full-back recounted recognising the man decked out in the fast-food franchise’s uniform and couldn’t resist the opportunity to have the guy who once made his school days hell take his order.
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He lifted the lid on the moment with Ladbrokes, the official betting partner of Liverpool FC, saying: “I went back to my old city, Aalesund, because my brother’s child was doing something there which I wanted to go and support. Anyway, I parked my car up and I recognised a guy, walking towards me… it was one of the kids who used to bully me.
“I could see he was wearing a McDonald’s shirt, and there was a McDonald’s about 100 yards away from where I’d parked. I just thought to myself ‘I have to do this’.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Riise revealed the reluctant reunion happened just as he was basking in the glory of buying a snazzy new motor following his Champions League glory, reports the Mirror.
“I bought myself a red Ferrari, which got delivered just a couple of days before our summer break. I decided to bring it back to Norway with me, because I’d just got it, and I wanted to use it for the month during my break.
“In Norway, the rule seems to be that you shouldn’t believe you’re something which you’re not, but I was really proud of what I’d achieved that year, and it was always a dream of mine to own that car, so if ever I got the chance, I was going to buy it.”
Despite alluding to his modesty, Riise shared his irresistible urge to confront the school yard tormentor due to the huge gap in their lifestyle at the time. He added: “There’s nothing wrong with working in McDonald’s, by the way. But, you know, the comparison was that this guy was there, and I was here – that was my first thought.
“So, I popped into the McDonald’s and sauntered up to his station. He was heads down, bustling with orders, then he beckons me over and looks up. Ever seen someone do a double-take? That was him alright, and that’s when I clocked he knew exactly who I was.
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(Image: Getty Images)
“He knew I’d just won the Champions League. He knew the Ferrari was mine, and I knew what he was doing now – again, there’s nothing wrong with it, but the comparison was so big.”
Riise then disclosed his ultimate sassy comeback. He elaborated: “He took my order, I got my McDonald’s, thanked him very much and walked away. Obviously, I threw the McDonald’s into the bin, but the feeling I got when I walked out of there, just made everything worth it for me.
“You don’t need to do anything crazy, or say anything stupid, but in that moment, just going up to order from him, for me that was enough. He knew, and I knew.”
Bagging 21 goals in 234 matches for Liverpool, Riise not only grabbed the FA Cup, League Cup, two Community Shields and two UEFA Super Cups but also participated in another Champions League finale in 2007. Yet despite his best efforts, Liverpool couldn’t replicate the Istanbul miracle under Rafa Benitez, falling short to AC Milan 2-1, an occasion seized by the Italians for a bit of payback.