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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<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>Howard joined Man Utd in 2003</li><li>Ronaldo signed same year</li><li>Reveals dedication from young age</li></ul>

'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

Premier League

Ipswich

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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-message-lionel-messi-fifa-the-best-men-s-player-of-the-year-award/bltb425464a494e8450" target="_blank">one of football's greatest ever players</a>, and revealed his hard work behind the scenes at that early age - despite all the glamour on the surface.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The former shot-stopper, who boasts an incredible 121 caps for the USMNT, told <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tim-howard/profil/spieler/4267" target="_blank">the Daily Mail</a>: "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."

WHAT HOWARD SAID

Howard retired in 2020 after a brief spell with Memphis 901. He has now taken up various punditry roles and was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-legend-premier-league-tim-howard-national-soccer-hall-of-fame-class-2024/blt35b1e40aa03b7b33" target="_blank">elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2024</a> last month. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still going strong in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. He continues to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-intense-training-regiment-38-year-old-workout-saudi-pro-league-break/blt2837504c894fceb8" target="_blank">demonstrate painstaking commitment to his training regiment</a> at 38 years of age, which no doubt contributed to him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-finishes-year-world-s-top-scorer-beating-harry-kane-kylian-mbappe-54th-goal/blt4cf3355c5846a1e0" target="_blank">finishing 2023 as the world's top goalscorer</a> for club and country.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Portugal superstar's <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-shows-off-shredded-lats-traps-al-nassr-star-gym-workout/bltcf082cdff48c6b65" target="_blank">workouts have continued</a> 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.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

'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 | Goal.com Malaysia

United States men&apos;s national team legend Tim Howard has lifted the lid on sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Manchester United.

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