It’s easy to forget how much Cristiano Ronaldo has changed since his early days at Manchester United.
Ronaldo spent six years at United between 2003 and 2009, during which time he went from a relatively unknown winger to one of the greatest players in Premier League history. It was during that first spell at Old Trafford that he won the first of his five Ballon d’Ors, before securing his move to Real Madrid where he went on to break countless records.
Having arrived at United for the first time nearly 20 years ago as a skinny teenager, the Portuguese ace has since moulded himself into one of the fittest and strongest players in the world. The 37-year-old has used his remarkable desire and will to win to become the best goalscorer of all time, as well as claim countless trophies throughout his career.
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It was during his latest outing for United that one of his former teammates was reminded of Ronaldo’s early days in the Premier League. Quinton Fortune was among those watching on as Ronaldo shrugged off the challenge of Brentford’s Rico Henry before the defender conceded a penalty in retaliation, which the United star converted.
Fortune was immediately transported back to his days at United when a young Ronaldo was teased by his teammates for his lack of strength – a far cry from the player of today. Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side Bet on Brighton v Man United, Fortune explained: "I was laughing at that moment last night before Cristiano [Ronaldo] won the penalty; he barged Rico Henry out of the way like he wasn't there.
"But Ronaldo, when he arrived at United all those years ago, we used to tease him about that part of his game. We'd wind him up about his lack of strength, and he really took it personally. We'd tease him all the time in that first year, really getting under his skin.
"The guy came back a year later and no one ever pushed him off the ball again. I was laughing last night because when I saw him shoulder barge the Brentford defender, it just reminded me of this kid that arrived in Manchester with no physical strength at all.
“He wants to show people that even at 37, he's still got that strength. I was at the game last night, and that moment just took me back. There's no way any of us can take any credit for teasing him and making him a stronger player, that's all down to him and his own determination."
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