I trained for hours alone with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United and saw things nobody else did

Most iconic footballers belong to one generation: a short collection of years characterised by their greatness.

The late 90s and early 2000s remind us of the original Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, who were then dethroned by players like Ronaldinho and Kaka.

7

Earlier still, Pele handed over to Johan Cruff, before Diego Maradona took the reins – each writing their own chapter in football history.

In the Premier League, we get nostalgic talking about Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, or Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, because that time feels like a distant memory.

The term ‘Barclaysmen’ was recently forced into existence on social media, as football fans remembered those players who symbolise a glorious moment in time, when the game just felt more exciting.

Highlights of Lauren Robert belters, or Jay-Jay Okocha tricks, would play over a noughties indie track, transporting us back to what felt like simpler times.

Lives have changed since then. Those primary school kids who watched Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto that wonderful scene are now having kids of their own.

Players who were at the peak of their powers in 2003 are now better-known as pundits or managers.

But Ronaldo appears immune to football’s unrelenting wheel of time.

This all-time great does not belong to a singular era – and instead of one chapter, he wrote a whole book.

Ronaldo turns 40 on Wednesday as the greatest goalscorer in football history – and his legendary 23-year career is still going.

Now at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is on 923 senior career goals for club and country, hurtling towards an unprecedented 1,000.

Cristiano Ronaldo career stats

7

But what truly ages Ronaldo is the company he kept when he joined Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2003.

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Gary Neville… Ronaldo crossed over with careers that feel so much more than just one generation ago.

Phil Bardsley, a ‘Barclaysman’ in his own right, was also breaking into the Red Devils team when Ronaldo arrived in Manchester.

Now 39, the former Burnley and Sunderland man hung up his boots after more than 300 Premier League appearances to launch a new career in social housing.

Bardsley had a front-row view to those early glimpses of Ronaldo greatness – when nobody except maybe Sir Alex Ferguson knew what he would ultimately become.

What was your first impression of Ronaldo?

“He’d come in with his quirky little jumper on, with these little braids coming down, and everyone was like, ‘Who’s this kid?’” Bardsley told talkSPORT.com.

7

“The first-team players were aware because he played against them in a pre-season game [for Sporting] and he was magnificent in that game. I think that’s what attracted interest from the club to go and pursue him and sign him.

“But when he came into the club, he was very slight, not much English at the time, but you could see glimpses of something.

“It wasn’t until the following season where he had a bit more of an understanding and seeing first-hand how good he was. But it took time.

“Even from the day he walked through the door, you can see the professionalism and where he wanted to be in his career.

“He’s obviously a gym addict. But everything you want to be an elite footballer, he had it. And that’s a credit to him.

“You can see the longevity in his career and that’s probably down to those things, the professionalism, the desired discipline that you need to stay at the top.

7

“He was one of them who spent money on himself, but obviously to help his career progress. I think he was one of the first to employ a chef.

“So all this sort of stuff, home gyms, chef at home, ice baths. He was doing this 20 years ago when people were not even thinking about it.”

What was he like to train with?

Ronaldo has become famous for his incredible strength and physique, allowing him to compete into his forties.

Even back then, when Ronaldo was a flashy forward criticised for going down too easily, Bardsley insists that physical toughness was always there.

The two ex-Man United teammates would spend hours after training practicing one-v-one situations.

Barsley added: “It’d be Cristiano taking me on and it’d be a case of me improving one-on-one defending, while he improves his finishing and his attacking play.

7

7

“But we’d just come off and there’d be cuts and grazes down your shins and on your ankles when you try to stop shots and I’m blocking his shots. We both have cuts on our legs from it.

“It was tough and you know what? People talk about him and probably in his early stage he went down too much, which is probably right.

“For a Portuguese player coming to a new country, a physical league… but he was tough.

“His battles over the years with Ashley Cole were, from a neutral point of view, you just couldn’t wait for it. It was just tit for tat for 90 minutes and it was great competition, great to watch.

“But I think over his career as well, those sort of periods helped him become tougher and stronger.”

What was he like as a person?

Over the years, many have questioned where Ronaldo’s heart lies when it comes to being an individual or a team player.

7

But Bardsley insists that despite some obvious vanity, his old teammate never put himself above anything else.

“As you can imagine, he fancied himself a little bit with his gear,” Bardsley joked. “Big six pack, not much hair anywhere. Good looking lad. Well, not when he first came.

“But yeah, he’s got a great personality. I’ve shared a couple of trips with him and he’s just a great all round guy.

“When he came back to United, it was great to catch up with him. He was a great character in the changing room. He’d be first in, last out and doing everything he needed to do.”

He continued: “Of course he was a team player. I think he sets records that he wants to achieve. And he’s achieved a lot of them.

“His goal stats are outrageous, aren’t they? His goals and his trophies. And that’s a testament to him for the longevity. But in terms of being selfish, I wouldn’t say so. I think he was a proper team player.”

Was Ronaldo always destined for greatness?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing – and Bardsley admits Ronaldo has exceeded his wildest expectations.

But looking back, the spotty teenage wonderkid who arrived at Man United in a dodgy jumper back in 2003 was laying the groundwork to turn 40 and keep transcending generations.

Bardsley said: “I probably didn’t predict as much as what he’s won and what he’s done. But the foundations were laid early into his career to allow him to play until he’s 40. It’s absolutely incredible. 

“You can see the work he put in and the desire he had for the game, that he was going to be successful. 

“You can never really say how many trophies or how many goals you’re going to score. But he certainly had a passion to break records and win as many trophies as possible. 

“He’s a credit to himself, he’s a credit to his family. And he should be extremely proud of what he’s achieved because it’s not easy to do, especially being a superstar, you’re expected week in, week out, playing for these huge teams, United, Madrid, Juventus.

“You’re expected to be the main man and go on and score week in, week out. You go through phases of your career when you might struggle.

“But looking over his career, he’s always had the mentality to overcome any adversity like that.

“He’s just a unique player and we’ll probably never see the like again.”