Cristiano Ronaldo: Amazing story of Man Utd star after CL games for Real Madrid from 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo is a role model for any aspiring footballer.

Yes, talent can get you far, but it’s the very hard work and dedication that the Manchester United star channels on a daily basis that separates all-time greats from aspiring stars.

Every man and their dog to have played alongside Ronaldo will tell you ad nauseam that the five-time Ballon d’Or is always the first to the training ground and the last to leave.

However, no matter how times the story gets retold, the message of Ronaldo’s unwavering determination to become the greatest of all time doesn’t become any less important.

And there’s good reason to think that Ronaldo does even more to maintain himself as the world’s ultimate footballing machine that some former teammates let on.

We say that because one story in particular from Giovanni Mauri, who worked as Real Madrid’s fitness coach during Carlo Ancelotti’s spell at the club, sums up Ronaldo’s hard work the best.

Not only does Mauri believe that all young players should take a leaf out of Ronaldo’s book, but that he marries his elite mentality to an impetus on physical recovery that way explain his longevity.

In fact, Mauri’s explanation of what Ronaldo would often do when returning from Champions League away days in the middle of the night couldn’t make that point any clearer.

According to ESPN, the experienced fitness coach told Tuttosport in 2018: “Cristiano is a phenomenon and an elite level athlete.

“He always trains to the best possible level because his way of working is comprised of three things: dedication, competitiveness and a positive attitude.

“To improve football you would need to bring every young player to watch his training sessions. He does everything with a smile and not against his