Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate for a season at Real Madrid, former player Rafael van der Vaart described the Portuguese's incredible work ethic in vivid terms.
It is well known that Cristiano Ronaldo is presented by the world of football as a workaholic. This is also the opinion of Rafael van der Vaart who illustrated in a very graphic manner the enormous will of the Portuguese during his physical preparation. The Dutchman noticed it for a year during their joint stint at Real Madrid in 2009-2010.
“He was the first on the training ground and the last to leave it”
“He never left his house,” the former midfielder exclaimed on talkSports. “I always joke that Ronaldo is the only player whose penis I have never seen!”
The remark caused general hilarity on set but Van der Vaart explained his particular reasoning. “He was the first on the training ground. And the last to leave it,” he added.
An ethic that allows the five-time Golden Ball winner to still play with his Saudi club Al-Nassr at almost 40 years old. Which does not surprise van der Vaart, amazed by the Portuguese's physique. “First of all her body, wow!”, he said. “A machine. He was a little ahead of his time, today's players are the same. But his training in the gym, his food, his sleep. For him, it was more important than training very hard.”
During their season together, Real did not win any trophies and this lack of titles or awards annoyed the former Manchester United player. “Ronaldo was incredibly selfish, if we won 6-0 and he didn't score he wasn't happy. When we lost but he scored twice it was fine! On the other hand, he brushes aside the idea that CR7 plays for himself. “No, no! It's just that he needs to score. It was the same with Ruud van Nistelrooy, I had so many conversations with him and it was very interesting because he always said: 'I need my goals! I need my goals!'”