Cristiano Ronaldo, a general with a soldier’s soul | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo has built his legend in the thick of battle, more soldier than general, and seems intent on finishing on the grass.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he grew up in São Pedro, Madeira, and overcame a heart anomaly at 15. He left for Manchester with Sir Alex Ferguson amid interest from Juventus and Barça, while La Masia was polishing Leo Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi almost shared a crest before forging a rivalry that still endures. Newcomers such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have not matched a duel evoking Karpov and Kasparov or Nadal and Djokovic.

Oil and vinegar, they repel yet complete the dish. Each has studied the other’s strengths and flaws for years. Ronaldo accepts he will never wear a five-pointed star like the one Iniesta earned, while Messi is still short of a second with Argentina.

Their competition fuelled both. Ronaldo’s path has been a hurdle race, defying those who saw only looks, muscle and swagger, living by the idea that nothing is impossible.

He rarely does the middle ground. Every move is read as brand work, yet he is at the stage of going all in.

He admits the gym now bites, the money is ample, investments have worked, and envy trails his records and gestures.

It appears his last dance for Portugal came against Spain. For now, he wants to keep scoring for Al-Nasser in Saudi Arabia, a general set on falling as a soldier.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo