'He's a freak' - Cristiano Ronaldo told he was the 'teacher's pet' at Man Utd by former Red Devils team-mate

Foster has shared new insight into Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless professionalism during their time together at Manchester United. The former Red Devils goalkeeper recalled how Ronaldo’s early-morning routines and unshakable focus separated him from the rest of the squad. Foster explained that while other players might have balanced training with leisure, Ronaldo’s obsession with excellence left no room for distractions.

Ronaldo arrived at Manchester United in 2003 as an ambitious teenager from Sporting and, under Ferguson’s guidance, transformed into a global superstar. In six trophy-laden years at Old Trafford, he scored 118 goals in 292 games, winning three Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, and the 2008 Ballon d’Or. His explosive pace, relentless training habits, and eye for goal redefined the modern winger.

“He was always on it. Absolutely always on it,” Foster told talkSPORT Breakfast. “First one in, last one to leave and I know that's so cliché and you hear everybody say it, oh my God, he's so professional. But he genuinely was, he was that guy.

“He was always in early doors, you'd get there, even I would get there sometimes earlier. He's already been there, he's already had all his rubs, his massages, he's in the gym activating, he's doing all his prehab, rehab work.”

When asked by talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling whether Ronaldo went out with the United squad, Foster replied: “No, no interest in it, honestly. He's not a drinker. Ronnie has got no inkling to want to get involved. He knew what it was. He knew that there would be people trying to expose him or take pictures or get him in an uncompromising anything. So it just wasn't something that interested him.

“When it comes to the football and wanting to do it properly and working hard, he's there, he'll give you all of that. He might not want to get involved off the pitch with all the little bits and bobs but when it comes to football duty, training hard and doing everything professionally, he was top of the list.”

Foster added: “In the media, Sir Alex would always talk glowingly about Ronaldo, but it was always easy to because he was what he was. It was very obvious that he was definitely the teacher's pet. Definitely a teacher's pet. It wasn't preferential treatment though, as it was so obvious how good he was, streets ahead of everyone else. You didn't need to give him that, he was just better.”

Foster’s anecdotes reflect what many within Old Trafford long knew — that Ronaldo’s rise wasn’t just about talent, but about an obsession with perfection. He constantly pushed himself with extra gym sessions, strict diet control, and off-the-pitch discipline, habits that would later define his time at Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr.

Even today, at 40 years old, Ronaldo remains a record-breaking figure. With 948 career goals and counting, he continues to inspire younger generations, setting benchmarks for longevity and consistency rarely seen in sport.

As Foster summed it up: “I think it was Riyad Mahrez, they asked him if he would be playing in the next World Cup in four years' time and he kind of laughed it off and he said: 'I'm not Cristiano Ronaldo, come on'. But it's right though, nobody else can do this, what Cristiano has done, this level, maintain this level for this long. He is a freak but it's good to see.

“What it does go to show is for any young kids out there watching or listening, if you really apply yourself, if you really dedicate yourself and you really want something so badly, you can have such a big longevity in the game as well.”

Ronaldo’s example continues to shape the mentality of players at Manchester United and beyond. Youngsters often reference his dedication as the gold standard for elite professionalism, while veterans cite his longevity as proof that hard work pays off. As he edges closer to the 1,000-goal milestone and aims for another major international tournament with Portugal, Ronaldo’s mindset remains the blueprint for sporting greatness.