Cristiano Ronaldo demands the best of himself and those around him, but Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez insists he is not “difficult or complicated”.
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Portuguese superstar now a historic greatWants to be the best at all times Does not make life difficult for colleaguesWHAT HAPPENED?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has broken countless records down the years – while collecting league titles in England, Spain and Italy alongside five Champions League crowns – as a result of his pursuit of perfection. Ronaldo has strived for continuous improvement over the course of his remarkable career.
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Mexican frontman Hernandez briefly worked alongside the Portuguese superstar at Real Madrid in 2014-15 – as Ronaldo posted a personal best goal return of 61 that season – and has been in awe of the all-time great before, during and after that stint at Santiago Bernabeu.
WHAT THEY SAID
Hernandez has told of his time in Spain working alongside one of the very best to have ever played the game: “I always divided it as the first six months being very complicated because I played practically nothing. Some unfortunate injuries arose and I was given an opportunity in the second part, which was extraordinary and unique. Cristiano was phenomenal in the locker room and also in his way of being. I don’t think I have met or seen a player, who has come out to say that Cristiano is a difficult or complicated person. Cris is Cris. We know his personality and competitiveness, but as a team-mate that is one of the things you cannot take away.”
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Ronaldo and Hernandez are now plying their trade outside of Europe, with the former in Saudi Arabia at Al-Nassr while the latter is enjoying a fourth season with the LA Galaxy in MLS – with Lionel Messi now a direct rival for major honours in the United States.