The impact of Ryan Giggs on Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise.

When Cristiano Ronaldo landed at Manchester United in the summer of 2003, few could have imagined that the slender young man would become one of the greatest icons in world football. At just 18 years old, barely known beyond his home country, the Portuguese quickly became synonymous with absolute success, tireless work, and a fierce ambition that propelled him to the top of the football universe. Today, nearly two decades later, Ronaldo is a living legend, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and his journey began precisely at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese star’s path has been marked by enviable discipline and a desire to learn that impressed everyone who worked with him. Mick Clegg, a former United coach who accompanied Ronaldo in his early years at the club, revealed in an exclusive interview the secrets behind the Portuguese’s success and the impact that a club legend had on his career: Ryan Giggs.

Clegg did not hold back in his praise for Ronaldo, stating that he had never seen anyone work as hard as he did. “Cristiano was the best athlete I ever worked with. Everything he achieved, he earned with all his heart,” he declared. The coach also recalled the humility and professionalism of the young Portuguese from day one: “He wanted to learn from the start. He treated everyone very well – coaches, teammates, technical staff. He did what he knew he needed to do, but embraced everything I proposed. He was a masterful learner.”

But what really set Ronaldo apart was his desire to emulate Giggs, one of the greatest figures in United’s history, known for his longevity and extreme care for his body. “When Cristiano arrived, he immediately said: ‘I know Ryan is the one who uses the gym the most; I want to know everything he does – and I want to do it better,’” Clegg revealed. Ronaldo copied the Welshman’s routines, especially regarding injury prevention and post-match recovery. “It was this detail that separated him from the others,” emphasized the coach.

Ryan Giggs, who faced muscular problems early in his career but ended up playing until he was 40, served as a model for Ronaldo, who at 41 is still active, preparing for a possible glorious farewell at the 2026 World Cup. This dedication to training and recovery routines is, according to Clegg, the reason both have managed to extend such impressive careers.

During the same period, another star of the team, Wayne Rooney, displayed a different approach. “Rooney was a pure footballer; he just wanted to play football. He recognized that Cristiano was unique, above everyone else, but he said he didn’t care about rankings; he liked his game and was happy with that,” Mick Clegg recounted. Rooney, despite being naturally strong and powerful, was not very interested in intensive training and conditioning regimes.

This golden generation of Manchester United, featuring Giggs, Ronaldo, and Rooney, marked a golden era for the club and world football. Clegg did not hide his admiration for having worked with such talents: “How lucky I was to be at United at that time, working with these two and so many other great players. It was a fantastic experience.”

Today, Ronaldo is preparing to close a legendary career that began humbly but transformed into a true saga of global success. And it all started in Carrington, with a young man who wanted to follow in the footsteps of an icon and ended up becoming a true legend of world football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.