Cristiano Ronaldo's 'big ego' credited with making him 'greatest role model in football history' as World Cup-winning midfielder explains 'huge respect' for Al-Nassr superstar

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has always had unwavering belief in his own ability, while relentless pursuit of perfection has carried him to the very top of his chosen profession. A standing among the all-time greats has been safely secured.

Ronaldo is still going strong at 39 years of age, as he produces talismanic performances for Al-Nassr and Portugal, with his intention being to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. Many of the records that he has broken down the years will stand the test of time.

World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit – who spent time in England and Spain during his playing days – has told TV Kampen of what makes the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend special: “Cristiano Ronaldo can be considered the greatest role model in football history when you look at where he came from and where he is today at 39. He came from Sporting and worked step by step to be their star player and he had that ambition to stay at the very highest level for so long. He had the ambition to break all the records and achieved that.

“He has a big ego, but that ego drove him on every single day to be the very best he could. He has set the example for 15 years and I have huge respect for him. I have respect for sportsmen like that who want to get to the very top but also stay there. In terms of the mental side and physical side, what an example Cristiano Ronaldo has set.”

Ronaldo’s character can grate on some, but there is no questioning what he has achieved in the global game across a 22-year career. Alongside eternal rival Lionel Messi, he has raised the bar of individual brilliance to a height that few can ever dream of reaching.