Cristiano Ronaldo Reveals The Three Players Who Helped Him Realise His Potential

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that three Manchester United players helped him realise the talent he had in his locker.

The 32-year old phenomenon made the move to Old Trafford in 2003 and was immediately thrust into a dressing room full of stars.

Initially, though his ability was clear, he took time to adapt to English football and the change of scenery.

But before you know it, CR7 was tearing it up on a regular basis, winning a total of nine major honours in his six-year spell playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.

His best individual season at United came in 2007/08, when he scored 42 goals as United won the Premier League and Champions League. Ronaldo deservedly picked up the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career and has since won it a further four times 0 the most recent being the 2017 award he received on Thursday evening.

And though Ronaldo has always been aware that he was different to other players and had special qualities, he says the mentality of Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand helped him discover just how good he was - and could be.

"Since I was 14, 15 or 16 years old I knew that I was different from other kids," Ronaldo is quoted as saying by Metro.

"I did different things. I realised that I was good at Manchester United, when I played with players like Giggs, Keane or Ferdinand. I had talent.

"The English mentality is different and those people helped me a lot to be what I am now. I have to thank my colleagues in Manchester."

In 2017, the Portuguese superstar hit a total of 49 goals in 56 games and lifted La Liga, the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. After collecting his record-equalling award last night, Ronaldo discussed his rivalry with Lionel Messi and says he hopes their duel for supremacy continues.

"I feel very happy, it's a fantastic moment in my career, I've been waiting for this for a long time.

"This year has been great, we won the Champions League and La Liga and, on a personal level, I was a top scorer in the Champions League.

Credit: Goal

"Trophies help win these awards and we have to thank my colleagues from Madrid and Portugal, it was very important for me.

"I hope to play at this level for a few more years, I hope the battle with Messi continues, things happen for a reason.

"I feel good this season and we'll see what we win at the end of the year."