A former Manchester United star has revealed what Cristiano Ronaldo was really like behind the scenes at Old Trafford and how he ignored a certain team tradition
Ben Foster has lifted the lid on Cristiano Ronaldo‘s freakish dedication behind the scenes at Manchester United, revealing the superstar had no interest in joining his team-mates for a drink. The former Red Devils goalkeeper has highlighted how Ronaldo’s work ethic was on another level and he was often the first to arrive and last to leave the club’s Carrington training ground.
The pair played together during Ronaldo’s first spell at Old Trafford when he was signed as an 18-year-old from Sporting CP in 2003. Foster joined United two years later and witnessed the legendary Portuguese forward’s commitment to learning his craft first hand.
A large amount of importance is often placed on attending team social events at football clubs. Foster disclosed earlier this month how the biggest penalty on his old club Wrexham’s internal fines list is for missing the players’ Christmas night out.
However, he said Ronaldo was excused by his colleagues over his refusal to go out drinking due to his immense talent. The ex-Real Madrid and Juventus star is still playing at the age of 40 and finding the net regularly for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
He has now scored a record 143 goals in 225 games for his country, as well as 805 in 1,068 appearances at club level. And Foster believes Ronaldo’s strong professionalism has been key to the longevity of his career.
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Speaking during an appearance on talkSPORT, the former England shot-stopper said: “He was absolutely always on it, the first one in and last one to leave training. I’d get there early sometimes and he’d already been there. He’d already had all his massages and he’d be in the gym.
“There’s nobody else who can do what Cristiano has done and maintain this level for so long. He’s a freak. He had no interest in it [going for a drink]. Honestly, he’s not a drinker. Ronnie has got no inkling to want to get involved.
“He knew that there would be people trying to sort of expose him, or take pictures or get him in uncompromising positions. When it comes to football and wanting to do it properly and working hard, he’s there.
“He might not want to get involved off the pitch with all the little bits and bobs, but when it comes to football duty and training hard and doing everything professionally and properly, he was top of the list.”
Ronaldo’s attitude made him a popular figure with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with Foster describing him as the “teacher’s pet”. However, he said being favoured by the Scotsman was a fair reward for his performances on the pitch.
“He would always talk glowingly about Ronaldo, but it was quite easy to talk glowingly about him,” Foster said. “He did everything properly behind the scenes. He was never disruptive and he wanted to work out.
“When he got on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon or for a Champions League match on a Wednesday night, it was invariably him who would be rescuing the team. It’s quite easy to talk glowingly about somebody like that, but it was very obvious that he was definitely the teacher’s pet.”
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