Federico Macheda makes admission about 'different world' ex Man United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Manchester United forward Federico Macheda has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo is from a 'different world' having trained with him at Old Trafford.

Macheda joined the Reds in 2007 from Lazio and would break into the United first team during the 2008/09 season where he scored a debut winner against Aston Villa in the Premier League. Ronaldo had established himself as one of the world's best players that season and would end up leaving United for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.

Despite only spending a short time in his company, Macheda was able to spot what makes Ronaldo the footballer he is. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the Vibe with Five podcast, the 31-year-old said: "I would say that Ronaldo was the one [player at United] who was out of a different world.

ALSO READ: Wonderkid hints at being Ronaldo replacement

"This is the kind of player you have to look into because as I have said before about myself of not wanting more, this guy had everything, won everything and still wanted more. I remember him going from the gym after training to swimming for one hour.

"I was there in the jacuzzi with other players after training, which is normal, and he was just swimming for one hour - up and down, up and down. Back then I should have had this view, this mentality to think: 'I should do the same probably, look at this guy'.

"If I was to go back then I would look into this guy as an example and follow every little step that he was making because he was something unbelievable." In 2021, Ronaldo would obviously return to United for a second stint and would be the Reds' top goalscorer last season however this campaign has not been prolific for the 37-year-old as he missed most of pre-season due to personal reasons.

READ