INSIGHT INTO CRISTIANO RONALDO'S CHARACTER

Ben Foster, the retired goalkeeper who played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, has opened up about what the Portuguese star was really like behind the scenes during their time together at Old Trafford. Foster, who joined United in the summer of 2005, sat next to Ronaldo in the dressing room for four years before the forward made his move to Real Madrid in 2009.

During their time together, Ronaldo achieved great success, winning three Premier League titles, one Champions League, and two League Cups, as well as his first Ballon d'Or at just 23 years old.

Foster, who had a front-row seat to Ronaldo's meteoric rise, gained valuable insight into his personality off the pitch. According to Foster, Ronaldo's character was just as impressive as his on-field performances.

Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Foster recalled: "He was good as gold, and he was absolutely fine. He was just one of the lads, but he was a workhorse, and he was very rarely just sitting there, chatting, or having a good time. He was always off doing something."

This portrayal contrasts with some of the more divisive perceptions of Ronaldo's character, especially later in his career. Ronaldo has often faced accusations of prioritizing himself over the team, but Foster’s recollections suggest that during his first spell at United, the forward was an integral part of the squad and never caused any issues in the dressing room.

Despite his intense focus on success, Ronaldo was not a disruptive presence among his teammates. Foster emphasized that Ronaldo's professionalism and commitment were always evident. "He was honestly proper sound and I would never have a bad word to say about him," Foster added. "Everybody knows he's super professional. Ronaldo would integrate with the lads, and he would have a good laugh but it was never disruptive - he would always do things properly."

Foster’s comments shed light on Ronaldo’s strong work ethic, revealing a player who was fully dedicated to his craft. While Ronaldo’s second stint at Manchester United was marred by tensions with then-manager Erik ten Hag and public disagreements, Foster’s experience with the star during his earlier years paints a very different picture — one of a focused, hardworking individual who was always striving to improve.

Since leaving United for Al Nassr, Ronaldo has continued to impress on the pitch, maintaining a remarkable goal-scoring rate with 84 goals in 95 games for the Saudi Arabian club.