December 30th 2024.
Sir Alex Ferguson was known for his tough leadership style in the football world. He didn't hold back when it came to pushing his players to be the best they could be. Rio Ferdinand recently shared a story about the time he watched Sir Alex make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the dressing room.
Sir Alex was the one who gave the green light for Manchester United to bring in Ronaldo in 2003. This decision proved to be a successful one, as Ronaldo spent six incredible seasons at Old Trafford. During this time, he scored over 100 goals and helped the team win three Premier League titles, three domestic cups, and the Champions League.
After leaving United to join Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo continued to prove himself as one of the best players in the world, winning four more Champions League trophies and five Ballon d'Or awards. He scored an impressive 450 goals in just 438 appearances for Madrid.
Ronaldo has always spoken highly of the influence Sir Alex had on his career. The two share a special bond from their time together. However, Sir Alex was not afraid to push Ronaldo and make him face some harsh truths. In 2005, after a Champions League game against Benfica, Sir Alex was not happy with Ronaldo's performance and made him cry in the dressing room.
According to Rio Ferdinand, Sir Alex's tough love was a key factor in Ronaldo's development as a player. He needed those moments of criticism to push him to become the best in the world. The outburst did not harm their relationship, as Ronaldo's admiration for Sir Alex only grew stronger, especially after the passing of his father in 2005.
When asked about his relationship with Sir Alex, Ronaldo said, "There were so many beautiful moments that we had together. Not just winning things. But in my heart I keep the most difficult things." He also shared a touching story about how Sir Alex allowed him to visit his father in the hospital during a crucial time in their season.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, 12 years after leaving the club. He scored 27 goals in 54 appearances during his second spell at Old Trafford. In an interview, he credited Sir Alex as the main reason he signed for Manchester United at the age of 18. Their bond remains strong, and Sir Alex will always hold a special place in Ronaldo's heart.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
