December 5th 2024.
During their time as teammates at Real Madrid, Rafael van der Vaart had the opportunity to witness Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive work ethic firsthand. Even in training, Ronaldo was known for his unwavering dedication to the sport, often being the first player on the pitch and the last one to leave. Van der Vaart even joked that he never saw Ronaldo's "willy" because of this, as he was always so focused on training.
Ronaldo's hard work and determination have certainly paid off, as he is now considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game. With an impressive 33 trophies under his belt and the title of highest goalscorer of all time, it's no wonder he is held in such high regard. His only rival in terms of Ballon d'Or wins is his long-time competitor, Lionel Messi.
Van der Vaart and Ronaldo were teammates for just one season, after Ronaldo's record-breaking move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009. Though the team did not win any trophies that season, Ronaldo still managed to finish as the club's top scorer, despite missing seven weeks due to injury. This was a testament to his dedication and hard work, both on and off the pitch.
According to van der Vaart, Ronaldo's commitment to his sport went beyond just training. He never left his house and was always focused on maintaining his physical fitness through proper nutrition, sleep, and gym sessions. Van der Vaart admired him for this, noting that he was ahead of his time in terms of his approach to training.
But with all his success and fame, van der Vaart also had sympathy for his former teammate. He recognized that Ronaldo was never able to live a normal life, constantly under scrutiny and facing negative comments from the media. Despite this, van der Vaart had a lot of respect for Ronaldo and his achievements.
One thing that set Ronaldo apart from other players was his insatiable desire to score goals. Van der Vaart revealed that Ronaldo would sulk when he failed to score, even in a 6-0 win, but would be all smiles when he scored in a 3-2 loss. He was always focused on scoring, and van der Vaart compared this to another great goalscorer, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
When asked to choose between Ronaldo and Messi, van der Vaart ultimately chose Messi, citing his admiration for Diego Maradona and how similar Messi's play was to the legendary Argentine. But he also acknowledged Ronaldo's talent and dedication, making it clear that both players are truly exceptional in their own ways.
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