Ronaldo reveals what makes him world’s greatest

Cristiano Ronaldo had no idea he was going to win the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player last week and only burst into tears as he picked up his award when he saw his family crying at the ceremony.

The Real Madrid forward has revealed he is still taking English lessons and admitted the form of Lionel Messi continually pushes him to keep improving.

In a personal and, at times, moving interview with Ballon D’Or organisers France Football, Ronaldo took responsibility for previous mistakes in his career and claimed the examples of Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs at Manchester United helped him become more professional.

“I did not expect to win the award,” said Ronaldo. “It was a moment of great emotion — especially when I saw my son running towards me and into my arms, happy. That increased my emotion 10 times. And I started to cry. And then when I saw my family in tears, I cried even more. They were honest tears, genuine. I know that many people saw my tears as a positive image. They saw my most sensitive side.”

Ronaldo paid tribute to runners-up Franck Ribery and Messi, and admitted their presence keeps his level so high.

“The competition certainly helps: not just with Messi, but also with top players like the ones I see in the Premier League and other leagues. Like Luis Suarez, Iniesta, Neymar, Gareth Bale, Diego Costa and Falcao. If the level of play rises, I too will raise mine. Messi and I are in direct competition with our respective teams. Both of us want what is best for our club and our national teams. So yes, maybe we help each other to excel.”

Ronaldo insisted he is different to the public perception of him as arrogant.

“One day I said people were jealous because I was young, beautiful and rich. It was a mistake. I spoke after a match where I was angry because I had not scored. But I think my behaviour has evolved, even if my personality has not changed much. I always want to do things to get better.

“As I often say: I’m not perfect. I am a human being made of flesh and bone: I cry, I laugh, I have my problems. As for jealousy: life is such that people envy others. But I feel the public understands me better, realises I am someone who works hard.”

Ronaldo explained his typical day involves dropping his son at school, then training, then having a nap with his son, and often then taking an English lesson, as he put it: “In order to maintain the level that I had when I played there.”

He confirmed he sometimes hits the gym at four in the morning when he returns from an away game: “It’s the little details that make a big difference.”

His professionalism, he added, has come from key influences at each of his clubs: “I learned a lot from other guys like Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs at Manchester United, Raul and Michel Salgado at Real, and Figo, Rui Costa, Fernando Couto and Deco with the national team. To be a very good professional is worth 70% to be a successful footballer.”

Ronaldo also thanked his Madrid team-mates for their contribution to his individual prize. His speech, he said, would have been better if he had been informed that he had won the prize earlier.

“If I had been certain to win, I would have made a much better prepared speech. My reaction reflects my surprise. I know that many people think that if I went to the ceremony, it is because I knew I had won.

“But I went every year I was on the podium. It makes me a little angry to say that I knew, because I assure you I knew nothing.”