Without parties and alcohol, this is how Ronaldo stayed at the top for 20 years

Gilabola.com – Cristiano Ronaldo remains sharp at the age of 40, and his former Manchester United team-mate Ben Foster has revealed the key behind his durability.

He believes Ronaldo’s dedication to training and a disciplined lifestyle means the star can still compete at the highest level, even without having to follow social customs like his colleagues in the past.

Foster said that since joining Manchester United in the early 2000s, Ronaldo has shown an extraordinary level of professionalism.

He was often the first player to arrive at Carrington and the last to leave the training ground. When the other players just arrived, Ronaldo had already finished his massage and training session at the gym.

According to Foster, this behavior was not unusual for a young player aged 18 years at that time. The former England goalkeeper admitted that he was often amazed at how Ronaldo used every moment to improve himself and maintain his physical condition.

Ronaldo is considered uninterested in team social activities such as drinking parties or end-of-year parties. Foster explained that this habit was not because he was arrogant, but because he wanted to avoid things that could damage his focus and reputation.

Uncompromising Disciplined Lifestyle

Foster said Ronaldo understands the risks as a public figure. He believes the Portuguese player deliberately stayed away from situations that could “expose” him negatively. For Ronaldo, focusing on work and maintaining performance is an absolute priority.

Even though he avoids togetherness off the field, Ronaldo remains a role model in the team. Foster said that in every training session, no one could match Ronaldo’s enthusiasm and perseverance. He is described as a player who always does everything right and professionally.

This discipline has also enabled him to perform consistently for more than two decades. Currently, at the age of 40, Ronaldo is still actively scoring goals for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and the Portuguese national team.

Close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson

Foster also touched on the special relationship between Ronaldo and former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. According to him, Ferguson often speaks proudly about Ronaldo, and this is not without reason.

Ronaldo is said to be a player who always obeys the coach’s instructions and never becomes disruptive. He works hard behind the scenes, staying fit and being a positive influence on his teammates.

Foster even called Ronaldo Ferguson’s ‘favorite student’. However, he emphasized that this special treatment was completely appropriate because Ronaldo often determines victory for the team, especially in big matches in the league and Champions League.

Ronaldo now holds a record of 143 goals in 225 matches with the Portuguese national team and 805 goals at club level from a total of 1,068 matches. Foster believes those numbers are true evidence of hard work, not just natural talent.

He added that it is rare for a player to be able to maintain such high standards for so long. According to him, Ronaldo is an extreme example of professionalism in modern football.