‘He did get stick for it’: Darren Fletcher reveals former Man United team-mates used to laugh at Cristiano Ronaldo when he trained with leg weights on as part of his regime to become the best player in the world
- Darren Fletcher has revealed Ronaldo used to get ‘stick’ from United players
- They would make fun of his strict training regime involving ankle weights
- However they respected Ronaldo’s desire to become the best player in the world
Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was the object of ridicule at times during his spell at the club.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Fletcher spoke about Ronaldo’s regime to try and become the best player in the world.
His training involved using ankle weights, and the others played would give him ‘stick for it.’
Darren Fletcher has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo got some ‘stick’ from Man United team-mates
The other players would make fun of his training regime, but it’s hard to argue with the results
‘Ronaldo had a mind-set that he was going to be the best player in the world from the first day he came into the club,’ said Fletcher. ‘He ramped up training early on. At first people loved the desire but he did get stick for it.’
It’s no secret how hard Cristiano Ronaldo has worked on his physique throughout his career, all in the pursuit of becoming a better player.
It’s hard to argue with the results, which have gone on to see Ronaldo win five Ballon d’Or trophies and two The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards.
Fletcher also went on to say that despite the laughs, Ronaldo’s Manchester United team-mates certainly respected his dedication.
Ronaldo has had a successful career, and is now playing well for Juventus in the Italian league
‘People respected it and liked that mentality of wanting to be the best.
‘There were times he was putting ankle weights on for training, doing fast feet and the lads were laughing at him. But it didn’t deter him.’
After a successful career at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Ronaldo is now at Juventus, who are having an outstanding season of their own so far.
The Portuguese has scored seven goals and made five assists in his 11 appearances in the league, and Juventus are top of Serie A by a staggering 14 points at this early stage. They’ve won 10 and drawn just one of their 11 games.
On Wednesday he’ll be facing his old club Manchester United once again in the Champions League. They won the fixture at Old Trafford 1-0 last month and will be looking for a repeat of that performance.
