REAL MADRID
Cristiano on channelling negativity "I need my haters"
Cristiano Ronaldo told Coach Magazine that he shares a mutual respect with Leo Messi and that Jose Mourinho is the biggest thinker he has come across in football.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave an interview to Coach Magazine in which he spoke about some of the influential people in his career. He also says he thrives on the criticism he received from his detractors and had complimentary things to say about José Mourinho, respect for Messi and revealed his boyhood idols - Luis Figo and Rui Costa.
The key to success in football: “To use negative people and experiences to motivate you. I actually need my haters – they have helped me achieve all I have achieved”.
Father figure
Coach who had the biggest influence on you: “I do see Sir Alex Ferguson as a father figure. All my coaches have been important, but when I arrived at Real Madrid I was a man, when I arrived at Manchester United I was a boy. All of a sudden you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and at that time I needed somebody like Sir Alex”.
Zidane as an inspirational figure within the dressing room: “Zidane was a perfect example of that last season. We had not started well, but then he arrived and was the catalyst for one of my best-ever seasons. We went on a great run in La Liga, won the Champions League, and then I won the European Championships with Portugal. It was a great season for me and Real Madrid, and the right coach can be that inspiration”.
Mutual respect
Respect for Messi: “There is a big mutual respect between myself and Messi. The media like to make out like we have this big rivalry, but we don’t. It is not like we are good friends, but there is a mutual respect on both sides”.
Team mate or coach with the most defined philosophy on the game: “I have played for so many great coaches, but José Mourinho was a big thinker analytically, he went into everything in great detail”.
Biggest influence out on the pitch: “Me. My biggest inspiration has always been myself; nobody puts bigger demands on me than I do. I said I admired Figo and Rui Costa, but I never wanted to emulate them or anybody else – I have just always focused on being the best me I can”.
Read the full interview here:
