Ronaldo talks of his respect for rival Messi and admits he still sees ex-Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson as a ‘father figure’
Real Madrid superstar opens up about the haters who have spurred him on to be one of the greatest footballers of all time
REAL MADRID star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed how his haters have driven him on to become one of the finest footballers of all time.
The Portugal superstar also spoke about the "mutual respect" between him and Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.
While Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest ever players, the ex-Manchester United ace has courted criticism over the years for his apparent arrogance and diva-like behaviour.
But in a the 31-year-old talked of being driven to succeed by the critics, who have been quick to try to knock him down.
When asked what the most important lesson in football he has learned, the Portuguese said: "To use negative people and experiences to motivate you.
"I actually need my haters - they have helped me achieve all I have achieved."
He and Argie ace Messi have been battling it out in Spain to be top dog since Ronaldo made the then world record £80million switch to the Bernabeu from United in the summer of 2009.
Although there is clearly a rivalry there, Ronaldo, who helped his club win another Champions League last season, added: "There is a big mutual respect between myself and Lionel Messi.
"The media like to make out we have this big rivalry but we don't.
"It is not like we are good friends but there is a mutual respect on both sides."
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Ronaldo played at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson for six years from 2003. When the former Sporting Lisbon ace left for Madrid, Fergie admitted: "Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United.
"His contribution has been a major factor in the club’s success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over."
And Ronaldo believes he would not have been the star he is today without his former boss's influence.
He added: "I do see Sir Alex Ferguson as a father figure. All my coaches have been important but when I arrived at Real Madrid, I was a man.
"When I arrived at Manchester United I was a boy.
"All of a sudden you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and at that I time I needed somebody like Sir Alex."
Ronaldo has come up against the world's best defenders while playing international and club football.
But he picked out former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole as one of his fiercest.
He added: "Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole - he doesn't give you a second to breathe.
"He was such a tenacious player, quick, tough in the tackle - when he was at his peak.
"You knew it would not be an easy game."
Ronaldo won the Champions League with Real Madrid last season and then helped Portugal win their first major honour when they beat hosts France 1-0 in the final.
He only lasted 25 minutes after sustaining a knee injury.
He admitted: "I knew that I couldn’t influence the game on the field but I could play a big role.
"I gave a speech at half-time and was giving all the directions and encouragement I could from the side.
"It taught me about the importance of being one. Football is not about 11 on the field, it is so much more than that."