Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on Man Utd kids revealed as Hannibal claims legend is ‘hardest working man in football’
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been labelled the hardest worker in football by Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, has scored 18 goals in 32 appearances since returning to the Red Devils in the summer.
And Hannibal, 19, who arrived at Old Trafford from Monaco in 2019, has praised Ronaldo’s impact on the youngsters at the club.
Speaking to Onze Mundial, he said: “I rub shoulders with the person who has worked the hardest in the world of football: Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I can only learn from him. Cristiano is at the very, very highest level. You can feel the experience he has.
“When it is necessary to score the winning goal, he will score it. He is always there when you need him. Live, it’s very impressive. Facing the goal, it’s incredible.
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He continued: “He’s a great team-mate. If you need advice, he’ll be available, as you can ask advice from everyone at United.
“I’ve been watching him on TV since I was little, so I don’t really know how to talk to him! But being with him is special.
“I train with one of the greatest players in football history, so I learn all the time. I watch everything he does. I do just like him.
“When you see him on a daily basis, you realise that there is only that for him: work. He does whatever is good for his body.
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“One day it was sunny in Manchester. I watched him and saw that he was sunbathing shirtless. I said to him, ‘Why are you doing this?’ He replied: ‘Because it’s good, there are vitamins.’
“Since that day, I always put myself in the sun. I also look at his meals and I try to have the same thing on my plate. He’s a good example for the whole group.”
Hannibal has only made one appearance for the Red Devils’ first team and is yet to feature so far this season.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo and United return to action this weekend when they take on Leicester at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick’s side face a tough task to get into the top four with just nine Premier League games remaining.
They are currently four points adrift and have played one more game than Arsenal above them.