Cristiano Ronaldo credits Sir Alex Ferguson for turning him into
a less selfish footballer.
DenisDoyle/GettyImages
Cristiano Ronaldo is unveiled at the Bernabeu
The Portuguese forward completed his world-record transfer to
Real Madrid this week, and claims he can keep improving in
Spain.
But he has hailed Ferguson for changing his game and making him
more aware of his team-mates.
"It's obvious that I'm a less egotistical footballer now,'' he
told Spanish sports daily AS. "Without a doubt. I know for
sure that four years ago I always played to try to end up scoring
myself.
"But experience makes you understand that you achieve better
things playing as a team and being united. At Madrid they will see
a better Cristiano.''
It is United coach Sir Alex Ferguson who Ronaldo credits with
that transformation.
Ferguson splashed out £12.24million to bring the teenage Ronaldo
to United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and in six years under the
Scot's tutelage, he has developed into one of the best players on
the planet.
"Ferguson is a maestro,'' added Ronaldo. "For me he was my
father in football. He was crucial in my career and, outside
football, was a great human being with me. Talent isn't everything.
You can have it from the cradle, but it is necessary to learn the
trade to be the best.
"When I arrived in England I was an 18-year-old kid and had
established stars by my side. Ferguson taught me to clean up my
faults, to know to give the pass at the last moment, to take the
right decision in the area.
"I spent six years at United and I owe them everything that I am
today. I made history at United and won many trophies. It was a
pleasure to play at Old Trafford but now a new stage in my life is
beginning at the Bernabeu with new challenges.
"I wanted to play at this club and for that reason I'm
here.''
Ronaldo revealed it was his admiration and respect for Ferguson
and United that prevented him from joining Madrid last year.
However, the 24-year-old reiterated he has fulfilled a dream by
joining Madrid and that his presentation on Monday, which was
attended by around 90,000 fans, will live long in the memory.
"I'm used to living with speculation,'' he said. "I could have
signed for Madrid in 2008, but there wasn't an agreement between
the clubs and I owed myself to United. I wanted to respect that and
I did. I took the best decision.''
He added: "Since I've been able to think I've known what this
club means. In Madeira they talked about Madrid as the most famous
club with the best history in the world, with great international
stars.
"The kids in Portugal at my time, we were all for Madrid. For
that reason it is a privilege to be here. That kid's dream has been
achieved.
"What happened on Monday in the Bernabeu was incredible. I
couldn't have imagined what I was experiencing. It was impressive,
incredible. I get goosebumps just by remembering it. I wasn't
expecting something like it.''
Ronaldo is one of four signings Madrid have made since the
return of former president Florentino Perez.
The capital club have spent over 200 million euros this summer
on Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol as they bid to
build a team capable of challenging treble-winners Barcelona next
season.
And Ronaldo, who is looking forward to experiencing the Primera
Division, is confident they will gel quickly as a team. "Football
in the Premier League is more physical, quicker, they don't stop
for a second,'' he said. "In Spain they play a lot more with the
ball. Here they value quality more.
"For that reason I think that with the players they are bringing
together, things will go well for Madrid. I'm going to work to
adapt myself as quickly as possible and I don't think it will be
hard with people of such a high level by my side.''
A small pocket of fans doubt whether Ronaldo will prove a good
signing for Madrid and fear that his entourage and the amount of
attention he attracts could distract from his football - much like
the last player they signed from United, David Beckham.
"I don't care what people think about me because I know what I
am and how I am,'' he said. "I don't care what they think about my
life because the only things that matter to me are playing
football, doing things well and being a great professional.
"I am very happy with my life and with my personality. I'm not
going to change anything. I am happy with myself. Ask the people at
United and they will tell you how I trained the years I was there.
I know they will say I was one of the best.
"The image society has of me is not the truth. When they talk
with me and truly know me, they will change their opinion. For that
reason I'm going to continue like this and not think about changing
anything.''
