YOU never forget your first love — and for the world’s most expensive footballer, that love was Manchester United.
What a love it was, too, for Cristiano Ronaldo. World champions, European champions, three Premier League titles, two League Cups an FA Cup and a Community Shield.Nine trophies at home and abroad compared to just three domestic gongs in Spain so far.
No wonder the £80million man breaks into a broad grin as he says: “Yes Manchester was a very good cycle for me.
“I won everything there. It was a fantastic part of my life there.
“And maybe it was the time I enjoyed my football the most because I was so young.
“To be at Manchester United — one of the biggest clubs in the world — at just 18! It was a dream!
“And to play alongside those players you had only seen before on television — maybe that’s why I feel I enjoyed it there the most.”
Ronaldo, who spent six glittering seasons at Old Trafford before leaving in 2009, knows his words could be misconstrued so is quick to emphasis the context.
CHAMPION ... Cristiano Ronaldo with Gary Neville and Fergie after the 2008 Champions League final
Pic: RICHARD PELHAM
He added: “I’m not saying I don’t enjoy it here in Madrid — I do.
“But I’m older now, more mature. I’m not a dreamer any more like I was when I was young.
“I’m 28 now so I’m not at the beginning any more. I’m middle-aged!”
We both burst into laughter at that ... middle-aged! Are you sure? And through the laughter Ronny quickly adds; “It’s true – I am middle aged in football years!”
The poor decrepit lad.
No wonder he’s only scored 179 goals in 178 games for the Spanish champions.
That’s right — better than a goal a game for Los Blancos, a marked improvement on his still impressive 118 goals in 292 United outings in all competitions.
Almost twice as good, so does Ronaldo think he is twice the player he was at United?
He admits: “No, the statistics have changed because I am more mature and I have learned some things.
“With that maturity you actually do more things for the team rather than for yourself. But I still try to score as many goals as I can although I also try to give a lot of assists.
“You also have to realise that the football here is different, the team is different. Many things here are different.”
NEW SIGNINGS ... Alex Ferguson presents Kleberson and a young Cristiano Ronaldo
Incredibly Ronaldo thinks he can still become even better.
He said: “I am always striving to improve and I know you can only do that by
working hard and giving more. I’m prepared to do that.”
That’s for the future, though. This coming week Ronaldo will spend a lot of time living in the past as Real meet United at the Bernabeu in Wednesday night’s first leg of their mouth-watering Champions League last-16 showdown.
And figuring large in his reminiscences will be United boss Alex Ferguson, the man he calls his footballing father.
Ronaldo revealed: “I arrived at United aged just 18 years old and he taught me how to grow up properly in the football world.
“Who better? He has so much experience — 1,000 players have passed through his hands.
“So he knows and appreciates what young players need.
“And what he taught me was the importance of decision making.
“How important it is to make the right decisions on the pitch and off it.
“That’s why I say he was like a father to me.
“He taught me everything, he helped me so much, guided me on so many important things.
“That was in football and in life because his influence and interest doesn’t stop at the touchlines. He cares about you as an individual.
“He is a very human person who understands what you want and what you need.
“I remember one day in my first season and we came to Christmas and, of course, there is no winter break in England.
“I asked him: ‘Coach can you give me three or four days to go home to Portugal?’
“And straight away he said: ‘OK no problem.’
“He knew I was very important to the team but he also knew at that time I needed my family so much and that was a very important moment for me.
“I realised he understood and he cared.
“Sometimes when you asked him for something you didn’t get an answer instantly.
“He would say: ‘Let me think about it.’ And then next day he would give you his answer – yes or no.
“Even if it was a ‘no’ there was a reason and an explanation.
“He knows how to treat people well, how to make you happy, how to motivate you.
“He has that in abundance and it works because it’s real — it comes from inside him.
“So I owe him a lot. That’s why I keep in touch and that’s why it will be great to see him.”
But that will not stop Ronaldo busting a gut to knock his old boss out.
He determined to make history with Madrid — just like he did at United when they beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2008 final in Moscow.
Ronaldo added: “The Champions League is very special at Madrid because we want to win a 10th European title.
“For me it is the pinnacle. There are so many memorable matches that remain in the minds of the players and the fans.
“And I want to make my contribution, I want to leave my mark.”
Trouble is, Manchester United will have something to say about that.
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