I played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United and he was the ultimate teacher’s pet

Cristiano Ronaldo was the perfect professional at Manchester United and he was definitely a teacher’s pet. That’s according to his former Man United teammate Ben Foster, who has given an insight into Ronaldo‘s unbeatable work ethic. The footballing icon joined the Red Devils as an 18-year-old in 2003, with the potential to be one of the best in the world. And over the next six years at Old Trafford, under the tutelage of legendary boss Alex Ferguson, he became that. Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games in that spell, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup, as well as the Ballon d’Or for the first time. He then joined Real Madrid in a world-record deal in 2009 and he went on to cement himself as one of the greatest players ever. His talent alone is above almost every other footballer, but his effort put in behind the scenes also played a major part in his success. And ex-teammate of Ronaldo, Foster, has revealed just how driven the Portuguese international was at the start of his career. The retired goalkeeper told talkSPORT Breakfast: “He was always on it. Absolutely always on it. “First one in, last one to leave and I know that’s so cliche and you hear everybody say it, oh my God, he’s so professional. But he genuinely was, he was that guy.” Foster explained: “He was always in early doors, you’d get there, even I would get there sometimes earlier. “He’s already been there, he’s already had all his rubs, his massages, he’s in the gym activating, he’s doing all his prehab, rehab work.” Foster revealed what Ronaldo was like in a chat on talkSPORTtalkSPORT Ronaldo would always be working the hardest in training at Man UnitedGetty The teacher’s pet Ronaldo’s focus on succeeding as a player meant he rarely took part in any sort of team-building, social activities. Foster gave an insight into his hard work approach to football that saw him turn down chances to spend time with his teammates. When asked by talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling whether Ronaldo went out with the United squad, he replied: “No, no interest in it, honestly. “He’s not a drinker. Ronnie has got no inkling to want to get involved. “He knew what it was. He knew that there would be people trying to expose him or take pictures or get him in an uncompromising anything. So it just wasn’t something that interested him. “When it comes to the football and wanting to do it properly and working hard, he’s there, he’ll give you all of that. Ronaldo would be fully focused on football and not bother with the social sideGetty He gave his all at United from 2003 to 2009 before his move to MadridRex “He might not want to get involved off the pitch with all the little bits and bobs but when it comes to football duty, training hard and doing everything professionally, he was top of the list.” Ronaldo and Ferguson’s relationship is one that all football fans will be aware of, as they regularly speak about each other. The 40-year-old has often spoken about the impact that his manager at Man United had on his career and the success that followed. And viral clips have shown him celebrating his achievements with Real Madrid and Portugal with Sir Alex, who is still always there to attend his former star’s special fixtures or occasions. Foster was asked whether Ronaldo was given any special treatment by the United boss due to their strong connection. “In the media, Sir Alex would always talk glowingly about Ronaldo, but it was always easy to because he was what he was,” he said. Ronaldo often speaks about the impact Ferguson has had on his career “It was very obvious that he was definitely the teacher’s pet. Definitely a teacher’s pet. “It wasn’t preferential treatment though, as it was so obvious how good he was, streets ahead of everyone else. “You didn’t need to give him that, he was just better.” ‘He is a freak’ Foster then went on to discuss Ronaldo’s longevity in the game, as he continues to break records at the age of 40. The iconic No.7 is now on 948 career goals after netting two for Portugal on Tuesday night and becoming the outright leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying fixtures. Foster said: “I think it was Riyad Mahrez, they asked him if he would be playing in the next World Cup in four years’ time and he kind of laughed it off and he said: ‘I’m not Cristiano Ronaldo, come on’. Ronaldo continues to score week in, week out at 40 years oldGetty “But it’s right though, nobody else can do this, what Cristiano has done, this level, maintain this level for this long. “He is a freak but it’s good to see.” “What it does go to show is for any young kids out there watching or listening, if you really apply yourself, if you really dedicate yourself and you really want something so badly, you can have such a big longevity in the

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I played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United and he was the ultimate teacher’s pet

Cristiano Ronaldo was the perfect professional at Manchester United and he was definitely a teacher’s pet.

That’s according to his former Man United teammate Ben Foster, who has given an insight into Ronaldo‘s unbeatable work ethic.

The footballing icon joined the Red Devils as an 18-year-old in 2003, with the potential to be one of the best in the world.

And over the next six years at Old Trafford, under the tutelage of legendary boss Alex Ferguson, he became that.

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games in that spell, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup, as well as the Ballon d’Or for the first time.

He then joined Real Madrid in a world-record deal in 2009 and he went on to cement himself as one of the greatest players ever.

His talent alone is above almost every other footballer, but his effort put in behind the scenes also played a major part in his success.

And ex-teammate of Ronaldo, Foster, has revealed just how driven the Portuguese international was at the start of his career.

The retired goalkeeper told talkSPORT Breakfast: “He was always on it. Absolutely always on it.

“First one in, last one to leave and I know that’s so cliche and you hear everybody say it, oh my God, he’s so professional. But he genuinely was, he was that guy.”

Foster explained: “He was always in early doors, you’d get there, even I would get there sometimes earlier.

“He’s already been there, he’s already had all his rubs, his massages, he’s in the gym activating, he’s doing all his prehab, rehab work.”

Ben Foster speaks on talkSPORT about Cristiano Ronaldo — Foster revealed what Ronaldo was like in a chat on talkSPORT

Ronaldo would always be working the hardest in training at Man United

The teacher’s pet

Ronaldo’s focus on succeeding as a player meant he rarely took part in any sort of team-building, social activities.

Foster gave an insight into his hard work approach to football that saw him turn down chances to spend time with his teammates.

When asked by talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling whether Ronaldo went out with the United squad, he replied: “No, no interest in it, honestly.

“He’s not a drinker. Ronnie has got no inkling to want to get involved.

“He knew what it was. He knew that there would be people trying to expose him or take pictures or get him in an uncompromising anything. So it just wasn’t something that interested him.

“When it comes to the football and wanting to do it properly and working hard, he’s there, he’ll give you all of that.

Ronaldo would be fully focused on football and not bother with the social side

A young Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Man United — He gave his all at United from 2003 to 2009 before his move to Madrid

“He might not want to get involved off the pitch with all the little bits and bobs but when it comes to football duty, training hard and doing everything professionally, he was top of the list.”

Ronaldo and Ferguson’s relationship is one that all football fans will be aware of, as they regularly speak about each other.

The 40-year-old has often spoken about the impact that his manager at Man United had on his career and the success that followed.

And viral clips have shown him celebrating his achievements with Real Madrid and Portugal with Sir Alex, who is still always there to attend his former star’s special fixtures or occasions.

Foster was asked whether Ronaldo was given any special treatment by the United boss due to their strong connection.

“In the media, Sir Alex would always talk glowingly about Ronaldo, but it was always easy to because he was what he was,” he said.

A graphic with a quote from Cristiano Ronaldo on Sir Alex Ferguson — Ronaldo often speaks about the impact Ferguson has had on his career

“It was very obvious that he was definitely the teacher’s pet. Definitely a teacher’s pet.

“It wasn’t preferential treatment though, as it was so obvious how good he was, streets ahead of everyone else.

“You didn’t need to give him that, he was just better.”

‘He is a freak’

Foster then went on to discuss Ronaldo’s longevity in the game, as he continues to break records at the age of 40.

The iconic No.7 is now on 948 career goals after netting two for Portugal on Tuesday night and becoming the outright leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying fixtures.

Foster said: “I think it was Riyad Mahrez, they asked him if he would be playing in the next World Cup in four years’ time and he kind of laughed it off and he said: ‘I’m not Cristiano Ronaldo, come on’.

Ronaldo continues to score week in, week out at 40 years old

“But it’s right though, nobody else can do this, what Cristiano has done, this level, maintain this level for this long.

“He is a freak but it’s good to see.”

“What it does go to show is for any young kids out there watching or listening, if you really apply yourself, if you really dedicate yourself and you really want something so badly, you can have such a big longevity in the game as well,” Foster finished.