Cristiano Ronaldo admits he would have been an ‘imbecile’ not to learn from Manchester United’s players.
Ronaldo, 34, remains at the very top of his career and is continuing to break records for club and country.
He made his name at Old Trafford after moving from Sporting Lisbon and admits his teammates at United gave him all the tools to improve.
“By using my brain. If you’ve got a little intelligence, you look and take example from those who are doing things better than you,” he told France Football.
“That’s what I did when I was in Manchester with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand – if you don’t learn from guys like that, you’re an imbecile.
“The goal isn’t to imitate but to take aspects from those who are the best and adapt it to your own personality. That’s what I did. I had some talent and I watched them.
“Sir Alex Ferguson also taught me a lot, and I realised I had the potential to score, not only dribble and pass. I started to think of being a complete player without any weakness. I could score with my right foot, my left foot and my head. I’m strong and I’m quick.
Ronaldo also admits he has taken life tips from the likes of NBA legend Michael Jordan, who has enjoyed success late in his 30s.
“I’ve learned from him and all those who achieved excellence, and I don’t just mean in sports,” Ronaldo added.
“I like to read about the Noble Prize, on what people have invented, generated, created, developed. The Nobel Prize for people like that, it’s like winning the Ballon d’Or for me.
“I like to know why they’ve invented something and how they did it. It’s important and it’s going to help me become even better.”
