Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking achievement of 900 professional career goals is incredible. To become a professional footballer in itself is an outstanding achievement; to have a lengthy career is another; to score some goals that you can look back on is wonderful; to have 900 – wow!
As a young player, understanding how someone reaches such a level of performance and applying those traits to your own football world can make all the difference. So, let’s take a look at what other great players and coaches who have worked with him and seen him up close have said about Ronaldo.
1. Work Ethic and Dedication
One of Ronaldo’s most frequently praised attributes is his relentless work ethic. Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed Ronaldo during his early years at Manchester United, consistently pointed to his discipline and desire to improve as key to his development. Ferguson said:
“Cristiano constantly worked on his skills. His desire to be the best, his training habits, his work in the gym… he just wouldn’t settle for being anything less than the very best.”
Similarly, Rio Ferdinand, a former teammate, once commented on Ronaldo’s insane commitment to training:
“He was the first one to the training ground and the last to leave. He even stayed after training to practice, whether it was free kicks or skills. His mindset was always that of a champion.”
2. Physical Conditioning
Ronaldo’s physical condition is legendary, even as he entered his late 30s. Coaches and players alike have marvelled at how he maintains peak fitness. Zinedine Zidane, his coach at Real Madrid, described him as a “physical machine.” Zidane once said:
“I played with many greats, but Cristiano is unique in how he has maintained his physical level for so long. His body is like a 20-year-old’s.”
Raphaël Varane, Ronaldo’s teammate at Real Madrid, also highlighted his commitment to physical conditioning:
“Cristiano is obsessed with his body and his fitness. He takes care of every little detail, which allows him to stay at the highest level, even as he gets older.”
3. Mental Strength and Resilience
Ronaldo’s mental toughness is another aspect that is constantly admired. Paulo Bento, the former Portugal manager, said:
“Cristiano has this incredible ability to shut out distractions and focus on the job at hand. Whether it’s a World Cup or Champions League final, he knows how to handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most.”
Gareth Bale, who played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, echoed this sentiment:
“His mentality is his biggest asset. He doesn’t let bad games or missed chances affect him. He’s always thinking about the next opportunity.”
4. Versatility and Adaptability
One of Ronaldo’s unique strengths is his ability to adapt his game to different roles and leagues. He started as a winger, weaving through defences with speed and tricks, but evolved into one of the most lethal forwards in football history. José Mourinho, who coached him at Real Madrid, emphasised this versatility:
“Cristiano can play anywhere—left, right, or centre. He is a complete forward. His adaptability is what makes him even more dangerous because defenders never know where he’ll show up next.”
Carlo Ancelotti, another of Ronaldo’s former coaches, said:
“Cristiano is a smart player. He reads the game incredibly well and adjusts his positioning, his runs, and his style to what the team needs.”
5. Unmatched Hunger for Success
Few players have maintained the same hunger for trophies and records as Ronaldo. Lionel Messi, his longtime rival, once remarked:
“Cristiano has an incredible determination to win. He has this internal fire that keeps pushing him to achieve more, and I respect that.”
Former teammate Wayne Rooney also touched on this aspect of Ronaldo’s personality:
“His drive is what separates him from the rest. Whether it’s in training or in a game, Cristiano is always looking for ways to improve. Even after all he has achieved, he still has that hunger to win and break records.”
6. Technical Mastery
Andrea Pirlo, an Italian legend, spoke highly of Ronaldo’s technical ability:
“He has a great technical skill set. The way he strikes the ball, the accuracy, and his ability to improvise are remarkable. Not many players in the world can hit a ball like he does.”
Former Juventus teammate Gianluigi Buffon said of his finishing:
“Cristiano is a master in front of goal. Give him half a chance, and he will bury it. His finishing is so precise, it feels like he’s playing a different game than the rest of us.”
Conclusion and Takeaways:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career has been built on a combination of his work ethic, physical and mental strength, technical ability, and a drive to continuously evolve his game. As Zlatan Ibrahimović succinctly put it:
“What sets Cristiano apart is that he is not just a great player—he is a relentless machine, always looking to improve, always driven by the need to be the best.”
For you, as a young player, how can you consistently build these attributes into your game?
1. Make it a habit: If every day you push to be the player who works the hardest and is the most competitive, you will improve all aspects of your game. If a teammate or rival is better at skills than you, practice to be better than them every day. If they are better at finishing, practice until you are No.1, and so on across all aspects of the game. Settling for anything less than No.1 is not an option for Ronaldo.
2. Physical strength: Football is an athlete’s game now. You need power, stamina, and speed. I often ask players, “In your team, where do you finish in a longer run, e.g., 12 minutes? Where do you finish in a sprint over 20 meters?” If the answer is not No.1, I’ll suggest they need to get there and to add a routine with the help of their coach to achieve it. I’ll also ask, “Outside of your team, where would you place (distance/sprint) at County, State, or International level in your age/position?” You need to know what that level looks like. That’s the competition, and to make it to the pro level, you’ll need to be one of the best young players at the national level, whether representing or not.
3. Technical ability: This is in your hands. It’s all about mastery and practice. If you want to pass like De Bruyne, shoot like Ronaldo, or dribble like Messi, it’s repetition, repetition, repetition. Measure yourself. For example, for shooting, practice against a wall, or with a sack of balls in front of the goal. Set a target, and how many times out of ten do you accurately hit that spot? Use a camera to video your technique and compare it to Ronaldo or other great finishers. Use apps like One2Pro to get feedback from a coach on your technique.
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Enjoy!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
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