Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo sent him a photo recently which epitomises the Portuguese superstar's work ethic.
Speaking to William Hill with boxer Anthony Joshua, Ferdinand explained why he thinks the 36 year old will transform the fortunes of Manchester United this season, saying he does everything he can to find 'that extra edge'.
"Cristiano is a disrupter," Ferdinand said, as quoted by The Mirror. "Disruptors in the right way make waves. They're remembered and they're not forgotten.
The guy is just different, he looks for every little detail that'll give him the edge. He does mad stuff- he sent me a picture recently after driving two hours to do deep water recovery sessions in the sea when he was in Turin.
Other people are at home just having dinner, Cristiano is looking for that extra edge."
Ferdinand, who shared a dressing room with Ronaldo at Manchester United for six glorious years, in which they won three Premier League titles and a Champions League, recalled the impact the latter made at the club and in world football during his first spell in England.
"Ronaldo was a visionary," the 42 year old continued. "When he was at United, he built a team around himself. I went round to his house one day and there was six or seven people in his living room. I asked who they were and it was his personal masseuse, nutritionist, physio, doctor, chef.
No one else was doing that then. People were laughing at him at the time for doing extras but when he won the Ballon D'Or (2008), everyone started copying him. If Ronaldo doesn't get to 40 and isn't playing at the top level, he'll be very disappointed."
Ferdinand also admitted that Joshua, who is back in the ring in a fortnight's time against Oleksandr Ulysk at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has many of the same qualities his former teammate possesses.
"When I listen to you speak, there are very big similarities to when I speak to Cristiano," the ex-West Ham and Leeds United centre back said. "Like when we're on a Zoom, he'll have objects in the background and says 'that's for the energy in the room.'"
"That's what I find so fascinating about him," Joshua replied. "Joining Man United is a tough ask, it's a lot of pressure he's going to be under. I've got to give him credit for that."
Let's see if Ferdinand and Joshua's words are justified this afternoon, when Ronaldo is expected to make his second debut for The Red Devils at home to Newcastle United.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Ronaldo, Premier League, Joshua