For the first time since returning to Old Trafford, Ronaldo has confided in the man he still calls “father” in football – Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Ronaldo and Sir Alex in The Inside View episode 3. Photo: Manchester United

The conversation of Sir Alex and Ronaldo is the third issue in the series “The inside view” of Manchester United…

The father teaches how to speak, how to think for Ronaldo

“I think my specific job as manager of Manchester United is to bring essential values ​​to all the players and staff of the team. It all has to be linked together into one unit. unified.

In the case of Cristiano, he was just a young man when he came to us. At that time, the important thing is how the boy adapts,” – Sir Alex opened the conversation.

“When I first came here, I didn’t speak English, it was really difficult. However, the first conversation with everyone at Manchester United left a lot of good impressions. Everyone at the club helped. me a lot, of course this teacher.

I tried to learn the language, it was really difficult because his accent was very difficult to hear (Sir Alex is Scottish). Not only Sir, every player at MU speaks a language, a type of accent.

But it’s also good, I will try to learn because when you really want to, you will do it,” – Ronaldo recalls.

“When you want to reach out in this world where you want to show top ability, don’t forget that language and communication are a very important part, it increases the value of every human being.

I never go to a club with someone without talking to them. Simple sentences like “Good morning”, “How are you?”, “How are your parents?”,… It is essential for people to see what you really care about, How do you impress them? I think that’s the importance of communication,” explained Sir Alex.

“Sir Alex often talks about the importance of communication. You can learn but it has to come from the heart. You have to practice your instincts and courage to stand up and speak in front of people.

First meeting and journey to Old Trafford

In front of the players and my agent at Sporting Lisbon, Sir Alex gave a very impressive talk. He shows the vision, what he really wants, very attractive. You know, an 18-year-old kid talking to Sir Alex directly in this way, to me until now, it’s still like a dream.

I yelled “Wow!” and of course going to play football at Manchester United. To this day, that moment is still a special day. It was special not only because Sporting had just won, I played a good game, but also because I got to talk to Sir Alex,” Ronaldo recalled.

“With boys from many different countries at the age of 18, I don’t think Manchester United have ever acted in such a special way.

That day, Cristiano’s mother stayed a little longer. I think, when you have family standing around advocating moving to another country, that’s extremely important. His mother traveled from Madeira, accompanied her son to Lisbon, and now stands on another journey, in a faraway country, with a different language. That is a big step in the life of a young person.

I think the team at that time did well. In particular, I always remember when we were all talking, I was trying to impress on Cristiano’s agent that he couldn’t play every game here forever.

If this player is really good, none of us can stop him from being able to play with the best.

On the first game of the new season (when Ronaldo had just arrived at MU), Cristiano came on from the bench and left a great performance. The crowd of fans in the stands was really explosive and they loved the moment.

Right after the match, based on the situation at that time, I considered a lot of things whether to let Cristiano come on from the start or stay on the bench? It sounds simple, but it was a big decision at the time.” – Sir Alex recalls the match against Bolton in 2003, the first time Ronaldo played in a Manchester United shirt.

The merit of the teacher, the father to Ronaldo

“Everything he told me was done, which everyone understands is very difficult. Come to think of it, you’re just an 18-year-old, new from Sporting Lisbon, playing alongside big stars like Giggs. , Scholes, Keane or Solskjaer, can’t help but worry.

However, Sir Alex helped me through the talks. Occasionally, he called me to his office with an interpreter waiting there. Sir Alex shared a lot, taught me how to be an adult, to be a good player.

From those early days, everything he said and did, I found it really important. As I always say, in football, Sir Alex is like a father. I appreciate what he has done for me and my family, especially for this team, it’s been a great career.” – Ronaldo shared.

“As a manager or anyone else in a similar position, one of the most important things to look out for with the people you’re working with is confidence and belief in yourself. All the time, they’re there. must always trust and be loyal to you.

When in trouble, they come to me with confidence because everyone knows the office door is always open to welcome, just knock. All of that is like a recipe for all players to trust you completely.

Everyone knows I don’t like to fail. I do not allow my expectations of Manchester United players to be lost.

It is a fact that Cristiano and the other players who come here understand that.” – Sir Alex shared.

Great team

“I think everyone knows their place at this club, that’s why we’re a winning team, can’t remember how many titles we’ve won.

One of the important things, as Sir Alex often reminds, all players have to believe in this group, believe in what he says. Sir Alex is there to lead the team, helping us with the best ways to win every game. All those memories, I always remember very clearly, that is the key to the success of Manchester United “- Ronaldo recalls.

“The time I don’t like is 45 minutes before the game starts when the players are warming up and I’m sitting idle. I always want the game to go as quickly as possible but I can’t.

I sat alone in my room and watched TV while they warmed up in the yard. Then when the referee blew the whistle to start the game, it was great!

I think you will become a coach in the future” – Sir Alex told Ronaldo but the Portuguese superstar has not confirmed anything.

Family is the biggest thung

“It’s hard for me to remember what was supposed to be the best at Manchester United because everything was always great, the moments when the team was together.

From the bottom of my heart, I always keep the best moments about the team and of course he does too. However, one thing I will never forget, at that time, my father was in the hospital. My emotions at that time went down drastically. I went and told this story to Sir Alex. He said: “It’s okay Cristiano, just go home, 2-3 days is fine even though we still have a tough game.”

I was an important player in that game, he knew it was very difficult for United but in the end, Sir Alex told me to go home and see my father. For me, it’s one of the most memorable, it’s more than winning the Champions League, the Premier League or anything else.

I have always respected Sir Alex because from those first days, every time he told me something, he did it.” –

“There is an experience to be learned when you are a young manager. When I was 33 years old, a boy came to the office, it was Tuesday, he asked if he could take the day off on Friday? I asked the opposite, why do you want to take Friday off?He said his mother just passed away.

I was dumbfounded at that time, what can I do now? I said, “Of course, son.”

 

Since that moment, every time a player comes into the room and says he wants to take the day off tomorrow, I agree and ask if there’s anything I can do to help. As was the case with Cristiano, his father was sick and had to be hospitalized. The most important thing at that time was for Cristiano to go to his father’s side. At times like these, he or anyone else can’t be thought of as influencing the team.

Sometimes you have to know that there is more to the club than the club and family is one of them. You must never put the club before your family.” – Sir Alex shared.