CRISTIANO RONALDO was teased about his lack of strength during the early years of his Manchester United career.
That is according to former Red Devils star Quinton Fortune – who was a team-mate of Ronaldo’s for three years of his first spell at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese star cut a much slighter figure during the early years of his career Credit: PA:Press Association
Ronaldo beefed up after being mocked for his slim physique Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Now Ronaldo has a built physique and has significantly improved his strength Credit: Getty The Portuguese superstar broke through as a somewhat diminutive winger after joining Man Utd from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
He would go on to work tremendously hard on his physique, becoming a hugely muscly forward by the time he left for Real Madrid in 2009.
But Fortune has revealed that Ronaldo was on the end of some mockery about his strength issues before he began putting in the gym work – something which he showed in abundance against Brentford on Monday night.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side Bet on Brighton v Man United, he said: “I was laughing at that moment last night before Cristiano [Ronaldo] won the penalty; he barged Rico Henry out of the way like he wasn’t there.
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Fortune (left) spent seven years at Old Trafford Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd “But Ronaldo, when he arrived at United all those years ago, we used to tease him about that part of his game.
“We’d wind him up about his lack of strength, and he really took it personally. We’d tease him all the time in that first year, really getting under his skin.”
Fortune continued: “The guy came back a year later and no one ever pushed him off the ball again.
“I was laughing last night, because when I saw him shoulder barge the Brentford defender, it just reminded me of this kid that arrived in Manchester with no physical strength at all.
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“He wants to show people that even at 37, he’s still got that strength. I was at the game last night, and that moment just took me back.
“There’s no way any of us can take any credit for teasing him and making him a stronger player, that’s all down to him and his own determination.”
Ronaldo netted 118 goals in 292 appearances during his first spell with Man Utd.
He then returned for a second stint at Old Trafford last summer and has continued to add to his tally – scoring 24 times in 37 games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
