Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the lengths at which Cristiano Ronaldo would go to in training in order to make himself one of the best players in the world.
Ferguson managed Ronaldo at Manchester United for six years between 2003 and 2009 following his signing from Sporting Lisbon.
At United, Ronaldo established himself as one of the best players in world football. He won the Ballon d’Or award in 2008 – the same year that he helped the Red Devils to win the Champions League.
Ronaldo’s work ethic and desire to improve has been a commonly noted reason for his major success throughout his career.
He has been a professional for a total of 19 years and, now at the age of 36, he has returned to United for a second spell – still as one of the world’s top players.
Speaking on the UTD Podcast – the official club podcast of Manchester United – his former manager Ferguson recalled one anecdote which again highlights Ronaldo’s work ethic.
He explained: “He sacrificed himself to the best. I remember we were playing Arsenal and it was pouring with rain at Carrington.
“I said to him, and you know he would always practice after training, and I said, ‘In. We’ve got a game tomorrow and it’s too wet. The ground is too soft.’
“So I went into my office, looked out of the window and what did he do? He went on the Astroturf. I had no argument! I couldn’t say anything to him. He’s beat me.”
Ferguson on Ronaldo return
Ferguson had earlier given his opinion on Ronaldo’s second debut for United.
The Portuguese icon was named in the starting XI for United’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle on September 11 after completing a deadline day move from Juventus on August 31.
He got an incredible reception from the Old Trafford faithful before, during and even after the game, in which he scored a brace in a 4-1 victory.
“It’s fantastic,” Ferguson said. “You saw on that Saturday that it was like Caesar entering Rome after victory. I came, I saw, I conquered. It was fantastic.
“I mean, for anyone who is a United fan, we could have had a million people in there, without doubt, as there were so many outside, hundreds outside. It’s one of those things.”
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