By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville has said his ex-teammate at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo, wants to be the greatest player of all time.
He also hailed Ronaldo for his exceptional professional accomplishments including his drive to remain a top footballer and a winner of all time.
Ronaldo, 35, has won several laurels in his top flight playing career of 18 years. So far, he has starred for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, winning five Balloon d’Or awards three Premier League titles, two Laliga titles, five European Cups, and one Scudetto.
Ronaldo has amassed an incredible 571 club goals in 758 games, as well as 81 international goals in 149 matches for Portugal.
“It’s an obsession with scoring goals and applying himself every day, being the fittest he can possibly be. I think he’s lifted his professionalism every single year and progressed,” Neville told Newsmen.
He added: “I think he has a plan to go on and take over Pele’s record [of the highest number of goals]. He wants to be the greatest of all time and that is his sole purpose. Understanding that along the way if he is the greatest of all time, the teams that he plays for will win trophies and be successful.”
Gary Neville tips Ronaldo to overtake Pele’s goal-scoring record . He has had a successful career at the highest level spanning 18 years, during which time he has established himself as one of the top performers of his generation.
Neville added: “His drive to become the best in the world was out of this world. He was one of the few players that I’ve played with that would publicly announce that individual trophies were important to him.”
“He just wanted to be the very best and what he’s done over the years has been absolutely exceptional. His achievements have been amazing and he’s worked hard for it.”
