Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of excellence has been lauded by his former Real Madrid teammate Rafael van der Vaart, who shared insights into the Portuguese icon’s unmatched work ethic and dedication.
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Ronaldo, now shining in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr at 39, is celebrated as one of football’s greatest, with 33 trophies, the title of all-time leading scorer, and five Ballon d’Or wins. His former teammate Van der Vaart, who spent the 2009-2010 season with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, reflected on his extraordinary discipline.
“Ronaldo was always the first on the training pitch and the last to leave,” Van der Vaart said on talkSPORT’s The LineUp. “I never saw him in the dressing room much because he was always busy working on himself. His body was incredible—he was ahead of his time with training, nutrition, and recovery.”
Despite Ronaldo’s incredible success, Van der Vaart sympathized with the sacrifices that came with his fame. “It’s a little sad because he couldn’t live a normal life. People see him on the pitch, but they don’t realize the constant pressure and negativity he faced. I have a lot of respect for him.”
The Dutchman also revealed Ronaldo’s obsession with scoring goals, noting how it shaped his personality on and off the pitch. “He was so selfish in a good way. If we won 6-0 and he didn’t score, he was upset. If we lost 3-2 and he scored twice, he was happy. He needed to score—it drove him.”
Van der Vaart likened Ronaldo’s mentality to that of another prolific scorer, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and contrasted it with Lionel Messi’s approach. While both players share incredible talent, he sided with Messi when asked to choose between the two.
“I’m a big fan of Maradona, and Messi reminds me so much of him. It’s crazy how similar they are. If I had to choose, I’d say Messi.”
Ronaldo’s enduring legacy, fueled by his unmatched commitment, continues to inspire fans and players worldwide.
