'Cristiano Ronaldo was the joker' - Ex-USMNT and Man Utd goalkeeper Tim Howard reveals what Portuguese superstar was really like behind the 'underwear ads and Ferraris' at Old Trafford

The New Jersey-born goalkeeper signed for the Red Devils in a career-changing move from MetroStars back in 2003, the same year that Ronaldo penned a deal from Sporting CP. Howard was therefore witness to the rise of one of football's greatest ever players, and revealed his hard work behind the scenes at that early age - despite all the glamour on the surface.

The former shot-stopper, who boasts an incredible 121 caps for the USMNT, told the Daily Mail: "You see the perfume and underwear ads, the McLarens and the Ferraris, the houses and the yachts. But? Ronaldo was the joker. And more crucial still: You've never, ever seen a human being work as hard as him."

Howard retired in 2020 after a brief spell with Memphis 901. He has now taken up various punditry roles and was elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2024 last month. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still going strong in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. He continues to demonstrate painstaking commitment to his training regiment at 38 years of age, which no doubt contributed to him finishing 2023 as the world's top goalscorer for club and country.

The Portugal superstar's workouts have continued despite the break from Saudi Pro League action, although that time is coming to a close with their first competitive match on February 14 in a AFC Champions League clash against Al-Fayha. Before that, though, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami await in a blockbuster friendly on February 1.