Even in the senior football age, there is hardly any physical wear and tear on the CR7. He laid the foundations for this in his childhood.
The general tenor of Cristiano Ronaldo’s numerous achievements is the same in many places. Regardless of whether (former) teammates, (ex) coaches, officials or journalists: companions regularly report that Ronaldo is making his way to the top of the world – in addition to his footballing talents – primarily thanks to his irrepressible will, an unprecedented work ethic and steadfastness Crossing one’s own physical boundaries paved.
So does Regis Dupont. The French journalist, who among other things wrote the book “101 times Cristiano Ronaldo”, once again underlined the image of the tireless fighter who subordinates everything to success as a footballer, and also enriched it with a few anecdotes from the Portuguese’s childhood days.
“When his godfather brought him gifts – like remote-controlled cars, really great gifts – he didn’t care,” said Dupont on the radio show ‘L’After Foot’ RMC and added: “He was crying because he wanted a ball. For him there is only football.”
This obsession with round leather and the dream of professional football caused a stir in Ronaldo’s hometown of Funchal at an early age: “People in his neighborhood watched him tie things around his ankles and jog with them. They just asked themselves: ‘Who is this freak? ‘”
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I can play until I’m 40”
These were weights that he attached to his feet to create additional resistance. “At that time he was about eleven, twelve or thirteen years old and always wanted to get stronger. He was a comparatively thin and puny child, so he wanted to build muscles. He always wanted to be the best,” said Dupont.
His mentality subsequently enabled Ronaldo to constantly develop himself physically, technically and tactically and to function immediately everywhere – be it at Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus. The result: CR7 has been at the top of world football for more than ten years.
And despite the incredible career that the now 36-year-old has had so far, football retirement is apparently still a long way off for him. “I can play until I’m 40,” said Ronaldo in 2020 Marca.
A lot will depend on his motivation in the future, but “there will never be a physical problem,” emphasized the four-time Champions League winner. He owes this realization not least to his childish ambition.
