10 incredible things we learned from Cristiano Ronaldo's most intimate interview as Portuguese reflects on career

Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his life in his
most intimate interview to date with The Players'
Tribune.
The Real Madrid forward discusses everything from
his first football memory, to his most memorable
moment in the sport, and every feeling he had in
between.
He also talks about his family, both his parents who
helped him reach the top of the game, and his son,
who helped him appreciate the most important things
in life.
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Below we have pick out 10 fascinating exerts from
the lengthy interview - 10 things you'll definitely be
interested to learn about the Portuguese.
10. Ronaldo played football in the
streets... among cars
Every youngsters has some sort of memory of playing
on concrete, even if it's just booting a ball against a
curb.
But according to future four-time Ballon d'Or winner
Ronaldo, he used to play in the road, while cars were
driving past. Thank the lord there were no accidents,
eh?
9. He loved his mother and sisters
coming to watch him play
Again this isn't too surprising on face value, everyone
enjoys having support at some level, especially if
you're good and bagging goals for fun.
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But according to Ronaldo, his mother and sisters were
not interested in him playing football in the slightest,
despite him wanting them to be.
Seeing them in the stand one day apparently made
him feel all warm inside and spurred him on to
greatness. Isn't that sweet!?
8. He wasn't ready to leave home and
struggled at Sporting Lisbon
Ronaldo comes across as the most confident human
being on the planet, but at the age of 11 he didn't
feel ready to leave home for the Portuguese capital.
According to the man himself he struggled at the
Sporting Lisbon academy and was very homesick, only
seeing his parents once every four months.
Fortunately he stuck it out and things got better.
7. He realised he was special at the
academy
It probably didn't come as too much of a revelation,
considering the fact he would go on to become the
best player in the world, but Ronaldo can pinpoint the
moment he knew he was special.
He'd get the better of his teammates in training and
was apparently often praised for his ability. That said,
he admitted he was concerned about being too small.
6. He sneaked out his dorm at night
to work-out
Again, this is not particularly surprising given the man
Ronaldo would become, but it's still rather interesting
to learn that the workaholic would sneak out of his
bed at night.
And not to neck alcohol and head out to a party or
something, no, but to hit the gym and work on his
physique. Unbelievable.
5. His mother would pass out
watching him play
Now we know he's good but even acknowledging this,
this is hard to believe.
According to Ronaldo however, the stress on his
mother in seeing her then 17-year-old in action got the
better of her and she was prescribed sedatives by the
doctor in order to watch him play.
4. The pace of the Premier League
mesmerised him
The Premier League is widely regarded one of the
best - if not the best - division in world football, and it
seems a young Ronaldo agreed.
The Portuguese revealed that he was mesmerised
watching the speed in which passages of play took
place and knew in that moment he wanted to sign for
Manchester United.
3. Becoming a dad at Real Madrid
made his time at club extra special
It must be pretty special to step out onto the pitch
wearing the all-white Real Madrid strip and being able
to tell the world you're a Los Blancos player.
But according to Ronaldo, this has all been made
extra special by the fact he fathered his son while at
the club, which he admits changed his outlook on life.
2. He reads a message on his boot in
the tunnel before games
Many players have some superstition or something
they have to do before a game, and it seems
Ronaldo's is reading a little quote etched onto the
heel of his boot.
"El sueno del nino" reads the message, which
translates as "The dream of the child" and reminds
the Portuguese of where he came from and to stay
humble.
1. Walking hand in hand with his son
in Cardiff is his favourite memory
Throughout the interview Ronaldo speaks proudly
about all the trophies he has won in his career, but
admits they meant more to him when he was younger.
Today he considers his favourite memory to be
walking around the pitch at Cardiff holding hands with
his young son after winning the Champions League.
Bless.

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