Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Rio Ferdinand makes big claim about Real Madrid star’s Manchester home
CRISTIANO RONALDO’s house when he was at Manchester United was “like a carnival” because he employed so many members of staff, claims Rio Ferdinand.
Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't deserve to return says Man Utd fan
Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2009 and has gone on to break countless records at Real Madrid.
The Portuguese superstar has won nearly every trophy in club football to go with his five Ballon d’Ors.
Ferdinand says a lot of Ronaldo’s early success at United was down to his mentality, as well as his talent.
But the former United defender also said the staff Ronaldo employed, who he claimed “lived” at his house, had a huge impact on his career.
“I feel like a fanboy, if I’m honest, the way I talk about him,” Ferdinand said on BBC.
Going to his house was like a carnival, people walking around and I used to think ‘wow, what’s going on here?’
“What you try and reiterate to people is that he is just a ridiculous professional.
“Take the talent and put that to one side. You can have so much talent, but the mentality is key to everything about Cristiano Ronaldo.
“To sustain that level for so many years, across 10-12 years, five Ballon d’Ors, winning all these trophies that he’s got, to do that you need a particular mentality, the drive, the determination to year on year improve.
“That’s what sets him apart, that’s what makes him special.
“He was the first person I saw employing nutritionists, a doctor, a personal physio, a chef.
“They came and lived in his house, he lived up the road from me, a couple of doors up.
“Going to his house was like a carnival, people walking around and I used to think ‘wow, what’s going on here?’.
“But he invested in himself to become the best in the world and he left Manchester United as the best player in the world.”