It would have been impossible to predict Ronaldo, which would complete everything with him, but the mindset was from the beginning.
“I remember that we are ready to step on the pitch to face Manchester United [in the 2003 friendly at Alvalade]Along with both teams, along with each other -united with big names [Ryan] Giggs, Paul Scols, and [Ruud] Van Nistellroy, “Joao Aroso, who was then playing fitness coaches, told the BBC Sport.
“And you will expect an 18 -year -old Christiano at that time to see such famous players, but I remember that I am looking at Cristiano and focusing on the game completely, I did not get distracted at all. -He did not do it.
“This says a lot about his personality.”
Ronaldo will go from there to United, then Real Madrid and finally Juventus, win five balloons d’Or and became Portugal’s biggest player on the way.
Mick Cleag, the coach of Manchester United’s former performance coach, told BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily: “I have seen the weight of great people since working with Ronaldo and I think Cristiano Ronaldo Lionardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Isak Newton, Nicola’s league is Tesler and Stephen Hawking.
“When he came united in the first session in the gym, he said that ‘I am going to be the best player in the world’, and it was quite shocking. He is unique.
“His plan was to get every information of those who were going to coach and challenged him. His whole mind is about making something great.
“Cristiano is made only of blood and bone. Is it possible that there are more people like him? I hope anyone does anything as it has but they are so remote.”
Ronaldo has been involved in more than 30% of the matches played by the national team. But even more importantly, he has changed the notion around a team that was always known for a inferiority complex that kept him back in the past.
“Cristiano is one way,” Aroso said, who worked further as Portugal assistant coaches and is currently an assistant head coach for the South Korea National Team.
“He defines a style, in every way, with his tireless ambition to break the records and the age he continues to play. As the Maradona was unique, as Pelé was unique, as the Pelé was unique, as the Pellet was unique [Lionel] Messi is unique, Cristiano is also for its causes.
“What I want to reveal is that for Portugal, it is very important to have a player like Cristiano. We are a small country that rarely makes a global impact outside football.
“He allows our small country to go to something great around the world – because he stands for Cristiano and all positive things.”
There is not much doubt that – as long as the Euro 2016 winner Portugal qualifies – it will be in the 2026 World Cup. The real question mark is whether he can make it by 2030, when the country will co-maintain it.
“I have no doubt [that he can do it]He will go to another diet and be there, it would be nice and thin, “the former Winger Nani said with a smile.