Cristiano Ronaldo is “competitive in everything”, says former Sporting teammate Rodrigo Tello.
The Juventus superstar’s relentless drive for perfection compared to that of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
Netflix’s airing of ‘The Last Dance’ documentary, focusing on one of the most iconic NBA teams of all time.
It has sparked plenty of debate regarding the mindset required to become the very best.
Jordan has never shied away from the fact that he strived for continuous improvement over the course of his NBA career.
With the same determination demanded from those around him.
Ronaldo has been treading a similar path in football and he is considered to be an example of what can be achieved when natural ability meets dedication.
Tello witnessed those qualities at close quarters when Ronaldo was starting out in Portugal.
With it clear even from a young age that Ronaldo who has gone on to become a global phenomenon would not settle for anything less than perfection.
“I had the opportunity to be a teammate of a phenomenal footballer like him,”
Tello, who spent six years at Sporting between 2001 and 2007, toldRecord.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality was totally different from that of a 17 year old boy.
We played foosball and he was the best, we played billiards and he was the best, we did the weights and he was the one who lifted the most.
He reminded me of Michael Jordan, a competitive person in everything.
He did personalised training, even on match day.”
Ronaldo has been at his best since his move from Sporting which saw him played for top clubs in Europe.
He is showing no sign of slowing down either despite now being 35 years of age.
Tello added on a colleague who has become an icon: “I had a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo.
In my birthday, my wife surprised me and offered me a Juventus jersey signed by Ronaldo.
I have no idea how she got it!”
