Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s dedication towards the game of football by revealing how the 31-year-old would do anything and everything to be the best. The Portuguese has had yet another spectacular individual season in front of goal, scoring an incredible 51 goals in just 47 games, assisting 15 others.
Real Madrid are in the Champions League final thanks to Ronaldo’s efforts as he is set to win the Champions League golden boot again this season. The forward has scored 16 goals in 11 games and has a chance to break his own single-season record of 17 set in 2013/14 against Atletico Madrid on 28th May.
It was under Ancelotti that Ronaldo had set that record, winning La Decima in dramatic fashion and now the Italian has opened up about the former Manchester United man's professionalism and dedication.
Ancelotti revealed that Ronaldo would stay back at Real Madrid’s training base till almost 3 am in the morning taking ice baths to take care of his body. He used a really funny anecdote to describe his obsession with training as he said, “Ronaldo was always training. He could remain at Valdebebas until 3 am to take care of his body with cold showers despite Irina [the Portuguese’s ex-girlfriend] waiting for him at home!”
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He also went on to say it is Ronaldo’s work ethic and attitude towards football that makes him so special. Indeed, Ronaldo has been known to be an obsessive personality when it comes to taking care of himself and playing the game.
“He doesn’t care about money, he only cares about being the number one,” the 56-year-old explained to Financial times.
It has been a race for football’s no.1 spot in the last few years between Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Ronaldo as the duo have dominated winning accolades left, right and centre. Messi with his all-conquering Barca side has gone on to win an unprecedented 5 Ballon d’Ors while Cristiano himself has 3. They are both widely regarded as the best of this generation, and one of the greatest to ever play the game.
The perception is that Messi is god-gifted whereas Ronaldo has worked exceptionally hard to get to where he has. One can see where such acknowledgement arises from as the man from Madeira just won’t stop trying till he is able to achieve his goal.
If he is able to lead his side to Champions League glory, we could see Ronaldo at the Ballon d’Or podium yet again.
