Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap has revealed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, calling the iconic former Manchester United and Real Madrid star his biggest inspiration in football.
Delap, who has been in fine form this season, expressed his love for Ronaldo’s mentality and influence on the game, describing him as “the best in the world, in history.”
Following a series of underwhelming loan spells after leaving Manchester City, the 21-year-old striker seems to have found his stride at Ipswich.
With eight goals and two assists in 19 Premier League appearances, Delap has become a standout performer for the newly promoted side, which currently sits 18th in the table.
His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with England manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly considering Delap for a senior call-up ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Additionally, major clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea are rumored to be monitoring the young striker ahead of a potential summer transfer battle.
Reflecting on his time at Ipswich, Delap credited manager Kieran McKenna and the club’s staff for his development. “When I joined Ipswich, I knew the manager and everyone here would help me grow as a player.
I’ve settled in better than I imagined, and we’re improving as a team every week,” he told Sky Sports.
He also highlighted the importance of learning from challenging experiences during his earlier loans, stating, “Those tough stages taught me more than the good times. It’s all about finding the right environment, and Ipswich has been that place for me.”
Delap reserved special praise for McKenna, calling him “an incredible person and coach” who knows how to get the best out of players while keeping the team’s focus intact.
Despite Ipswich’s struggles this season, Delap remains optimistic, saying, “We’ve been unlucky at points, but we’re in every game. We just need that extra push to get results.”
While Delap admires Harry Kane’s leadership and impact on the game, he emphasized Ronaldo’s unmatched influence on his career.
“From a young age, I admired Ronaldo. He’s the complete package. I just love everything about him,” Delap said.
As speculation grows about Delap being a potential successor to Kane for England, his combination of humility, ambition, and raw talent suggests a bright future for the Ipswich star.
With a tough clash against his former club Manchester City on the horizon, all eyes will be on the young forward as he continues to impress.