In a recent interview with Coaches magazine, Ballon d’Or frontrunner Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about his rivals, former mentors, and what truly fuels his motivation. Speaking candidly to reporters, Ronaldo addressed his longtime competitor Lionel Messi, coaches like José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, and even revealed who he considers his greatest idol.
When asked about Messi, Ronaldo made it clear that while they are not friends, there is mutual respect: “There’s always been a great deal of respect between us,” he told Coaches. “People like to create this idea that we’re bitter rivals in every sense, but that’s not true. We’re not friends, but we respect each other.”
On the topic of coaches who’ve shaped his career, Ronaldo had particularly heartfelt words for Sir Alex Ferguson: “To me, Ferguson was like a father. Every coach I’ve had has been important, but when I arrived at Manchester United, I was still a kid. By the time I left for Real Madrid, I was a man. Playing at United, one of the world’s greatest clubs, under Sir Alex, was an honor.”
Turning his attention to José Mourinho, Ronaldo didn’t hold back his praise: “I’ve worked with many coaches, but Mourinho is without a doubt the most tactical. He analyzes every little detail on the field. His preparation is second to none.”
He also commended Zinedine Zidane, under whom he enjoyed immense success at Real Madrid: “Last season was the perfect example. We had a difficult start, but Zidane’s arrival changed everything. I had one of my best seasons ever. We performed brilliantly in the league and won the Champions League. It was a remarkable season. Zidane is an ideal coach.”
But the most striking moment of the interview came when Ronaldo was asked about the key to his success. His response was as bold as it was introspective: “I owe my success to the people who hate me. They push me, they motivate me. Without them, I wouldn’t have climbed as high as I have.”
And when asked about his biggest idol, Ronaldo gave an unexpected yet powerful answer: “There’s no one who inspires me more than myself. I admire players like Luís Figo and Rui Costa, but I never tried to copy anyone. My biggest competition has always been me.”