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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Standing among all-time greats secured</li><li>Enjoyed remarkable longevity at the very top</li><li>Intends to reach 1,000 goals before retiring</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'big ego' credited with making him 'greatest role model in football history' as World Cup-winning midfielder explains 'huge respect' for Al-Nassr superstar

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<p>The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has always had unwavering belief in his own ability, while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-cristiano-ronaldo-reached-pinnacle-ruthless-industry-eternal-rival-lionel-messi-more-talented/blt7c1b8b6dc87f5cbe" target="_blank">relentless pursuit of perfection</a> has carried him to the very top of his chosen profession. A standing among the all-time greats has been safely secured.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/records-follow-me-cristiano-ronaldo-reacts-more-history-al-nassr-superstar-50-goals-season/blt6adf896e2fd67e6e" target="_blank">still going strong at 39 years of age</a>, as he produces talismanic performances for Al-Nassr and Portugal, with his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-900-goal-cristiano-ronaldo-wont-give-up-any-time-soon-al-nassr-superstar-enjoying-hero-worship-portugal/blt3ef911d4983909aa" target="_blank">intention being to reach 1,000 career goals</a> before considering retirement. Many of the records that he has broken down the years will stand the test of time.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit – who spent time in England and Spain during his playing days – has told <a href="https://www.tvkampen.com/ " target="_blank"><em>TV Kampen</em></a> of what makes the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend special: “Cristiano Ronaldo can be considered the greatest role model in football history when you look at where he came from and where he is today at 39. He came from Sporting and worked step by step to be their star player and he had that ambition to stay at the very highest level for so long. He had the ambition to break all the records and achieved that.</p><p>“He has a big ego, but that ego drove him on every single day to be the very best he could. He has set the example for 15 years and I have huge respect for him. I have respect for sportsmen like that who want to get to the very top but also stay there. In terms of the mental side and physical side, what an example Cristiano Ronaldo has set.”</p>

WHAT PETIT SAID

<p>Ronaldo’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-chelsea-mikel-ego-warning-cr7-transfer/bltb3fe98ee3b283fc0" target="_blank">character can grate on some</a>, but there is no questioning what he has achieved in the global game across a 22-year career. Alongside <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/many-years-left-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-rivalry-former-usmnt-stars-alexi-lalas-stuart-holden-explain-why-goat-battle-continue-2026-world-cup/bltda9538095c917571" target="_blank">eternal rival Lionel Messi</a>, he has raised the bar of individual brilliance to a height that few can ever dream of reaching.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'big ego' credited with making him 'greatest role model in football history' as World Cup-winning midfielder explains 'huge respect' for Al-Nassr superstar | Goal.com Australia

Cristiano Ronaldo’s “big ego” is being credited with making the Portuguese superstar the “greatest role model in football history”.

Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s &apos;big ego&apos; credited with making him &apos;greatest role model in football history&apos; as World Cup-winning midfielder explains &apos;huge respect&apos; for Al-Nassr superstar