Lionesses star Ella Toone was ‘in love with’ Cristiano Ronaldo & has video message from Man Utd legend ‘saved in favourites’

The England international started out in the Red Devils academy system before having to spread her wings at Blackburn and Manchester City. She returned to her roots, and the club that she grew up supporting, when they re-established a women’s team in 2018.

Toone has become the first player to pass 50 appearances for United’s women’s side, as she becomes an inspirational figure in her own right, but the Euro 2022 winner concedes that she was very much a Ronaldo fan girl in her younger years.

The 24-year-old playmaker has told Sky Sports of idolising CR7: “I always say it. He's probably had such an impact on my career, the way that I wanted to be and that was Cristiano Ronaldo. I wore his boots. I wore the No 7 shirt. I was in love with him at Manchester United and the skills that he did and the confidence he played with.”

Despite being an international performer herself, Toone is yet to cross paths with Ronaldo. She added: “I didn't actually get to meet him. I did see him one time, the girls were all looking through the window going: 'That's Ronaldo!' He did send me a video once and I've got that saved in the favourites!”

Toone wears the No.7 shirt for United, and did that iconic jersey justice in the 2024 Women’s FA Cup final as she crashed home a spectacular strike against Tottenham at Wembley and paved the way for the Red Devils to claim a first major honour at the very highest level.