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Portugal coach Fernando Santos has admitted his countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘selfish but in a good way’ and it benefits the team, AS reported. Santos believes the Portuguese forward’s attitude has been the key to success and his desire to ‘always want to be the best’ has helped him reach new heights.
The 30-year-old is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have played the game and it is fair to say he can be bracketed alongside the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo possesses all the attributes and is often regarded as one of ‘the complete players’ in football. The Portuguese striker has the physique, speed, strength, skills and in front of goal, he is one of the most prolific scorers.
Over the past few years, the Real Madrid icon has developed into a goal scoring machine and his national team coach Santos believes his attitude has been key to his success.
“When I coached him at Sporting when he was 18 years old, he was the same as he is today: a natural winner,” he said.
“He has egoism in the good sense of 'I want to win', 'I want to be the best'. That kind of egoism, is it bad? I don't think so. Cristiano is who he is because that is his way,” he explained.
“I have never seen Cristiano upset because the team won, but he didn't score.”
Ronaldo’s desire to improve has made him the player he is today: Santos
Many people would agree to the fact that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has been partly responsible for Ronaldo’s success – pushing the former Manchester United winger to new heights. However, Santos begs to differ and has insisted that the attacker’s desire to improve has made him the player he is today.
“What makes Cristiano a better player is his battle against himself. When I met him [in 2003 at Sporting] Messi hadn't arrived on the scene yet,” he added.
“Cristiano had amazing potential, to the same level as Eusebio, but I told him that he was a bit weak in the air. The following day he was practicing headers over and over again.
“Aside from that, geniuses are completely incomparable and they are two.”
Ronaldo will never become a centre-forward: Santos
Initially, Ronaldo started his career as a deadly winger with his lightning speed, silky skills and pinpoint crosses to the penalty box. That is how he earned worldwide recognition at Old Trafford under the guidance of his footballing father Sir Alex Ferguson.
But ever since he moved to the Spanish capital, the Portugal captain has transformed more into a prolific goalscorer. Despite being clinical in front of goal, Santos believes Ronaldo will never be a centre-forward and he is at his best when starts from the wing and cuts inside.
“He'll never be a centre forward, a traditional number nine, who plays with his back to goal in the area,” Santos stressed.
“Neither is he a classic winger, as Luis Figo was. Cristiano is more dangerous when he's cutting in from the flanks to the middle.”
