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Cristiano Ronaldo's Dedication When He First Became A Pro At Sporting Was Incredible

Cristiano Ronaldo's Dedication When He First Became A Pro At Sporting Was Incredible

It's no surprise he went to the very top...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

There are an abundant number of stories regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's dedication to being the very best - the latest coming from Spanish forward Tonito.

The 41-year old was at Sporting CP when Ronaldo was coming through at the club and he immediately noticed the focus and determination the kid from Madeira had.

First-teamers became aware of his relentless work ethic and Tonito has revealed how Ronaldo never wanted to leave the training ground and had to tell him to stop beasting himself.

"Cristiano was a kid, but he was just like the man he became: humble, ambitious, determined and professional beyond belief," Tonito said in an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"During training, he'd turn heads among the veterans, and I'd say to him: 'Steady, don't overdo it...'

"I would also give him lifts [to and from training]. But I'd have to wait an hour at the training ground, because he never wanted to leave.

"I'd bang on the window of the gym and say: 'Come on, Cris, it's time to stop - it's getting late!"

Image: PA
Image: PA

As aforementioned, this is just one of a host of anecdotes relating to his obsession with being the best and going above and beyond to constantly improve.

For instance, when CR7 won his first ever Champions League with Manchester United in 2008 on penalties in Moscow, he didn't feel the need to party. Instead, he trained after getting back to Manchester.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"I lived with Cristiano in Manchester for five years, an unforgettable experience," Nuno Viveiros revealed in an interview with Tuttosport.

"The night when the team won the Champions League in 2008. Do you remember the final of Moscow with Chelsea that ended on penalties? Terry slides into the right post of the goal and at the end van der Sar saves Anelka's shot.

"Do you know what Cristiano did when we got back to Manchester that night? He went to train. He went to train after becoming a champion. European Champion at the age of twenty-three, he is like that, he's a real son of Madeira."

That's what you call "elite mentality" folks...

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Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sporting CP, Sporting, Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid