Former teammate compares Ronaldo to Michael Jordan

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all-time and a former teammate said that Juventus striker reminds him of another legendary athlete: Michael Jordan.

"I had the opportunity to be a team-mate of a phenomenal footballer like him," Rodrigo Tello, who was a teammate of Ronaldo when he was starting out in Portugal, told Record.

"Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality was totally different from that of a 17-year-old boy. We played foosball and he was the best, we played billiards and he was the best, we did the weights and he was the one who lifted the most. He reminded me of Michael Jordan, a competitive person in everything. He did personalised training, even on match day."

Ronaldo is certainly known for his relentless work ethic and determination to be the best player he can be. The 35-year-old has been playing professional soccer for nearly two decades, winning the Ballon d’Or five times while playing for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He currently ranks fifth all-time with 743 goals but is expected to take the top spot by the time his career ends, although Messi may end up besting him.

"I've never tried to hide the fact that it is my intention to become the best," Ronaldo has said.

Unlike Jordan, it seems that Ronaldo has a good relationship with his former teammates, at least according to Tello.

"I had a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo," Tello said. "On my birthday, my wife surprised me and offered me a Juventus jersey signed by Ronaldo. I have no idea how she got it!"