Former Atalanta midfielder Costinha has claimed that ‘it isn’t possible not to love Cristiano Ronaldo unless you are jealous’.
Costinha was Ronaldo’s teammate when Portugal reached the Final of Euro 2004 and remains a huge fan of the Juventus forward, explaining the keys to his success.
“You could see immediately that he wanted to become the best,” he told Goal.com.
Former Atalanta midfielder Costinha has claimed that ‘it isn’t possible not to love Cristiano Ronaldo unless you are jealous’.
Costinha was Ronaldo’s teammate when Portugal reached the Final of Euro 2004 and remains a huge fan of the Juventus forward, explaining the keys to his success.
“You could see immediately that he wanted to become the best,” he told Goal.com.
“He trained to be the best. He was really amazing. He was a player who respected the older players and he asked a lot of questions to become better.
“Bit by bit, he took his spot in the team, and Portugal has benefitted a lot from his personality and leadership.
“He works hard. He doesn’t sit and wait for things to arrive to him. He searches out how to be a better player.
“If he sees people saying someone in the opposition’s team is better than him, then he must show him and the world who really is the best.
“He benefitted a lot from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and that team made him more aggressive.
“It taught him when to dribble and when to pass the ball. Still, his belief was so strong that he would rise up the ranks.
“It isn’t possible not to love Ronaldo unless you are jealous. He is humble and I am happy for the success he had today.
“I saw him work to become the best and I am Portuguese, so he makes me proud.”
The 45-year-old won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and played 50 times for his country.
He joined Atalanta in 2007 but played just one Serie A game for them in three seasons.