I know Cristiano Ronaldo but I didn’t know man behind the athlete, says Francis Ngannou about ‘motivator’ Man Utd icon
FRANCIS NGANNOU has opened up on his friendship with football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ngannou was speaking to Piers Morgan when he explained what it is that makes Ronaldo, 39, one of the best athletes in the world.
Ngannou, 38, shocked the world of boxing by coming close to beating Tyson Fury in his first ever professional fight after switching from years of dominance of MMA.
And when Morgan compared the fighter with Ronaldo, Ngannou explained what it is that separates the Al Nassr bagsman from the rest.
Ngannou even revealed that finding similarities in the way he works with the way Ronaldo works helps to motivate him about being on the path to success.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “I knew that Cristiano is the best player, he’s talented, he’s this, he’s that.
“But I didn’t know the man behind the athlete. Then I got the chance to meet him and we chatted for 30-40 minutes, next to the pool.
“Maybe some stuff you are thinking, you are not sure, it’s hard, you are struggling with it.
“And then you find out, that it’s exactly what he’s doing or what he’s been doing. It motivates you. I’m like, ‘Ok, so I doing something. I must be on the right path.’”
Ronaldo is known for his incredible dedication to his fitness and his hard work to stay at the top.
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Now only a matter of months from turning 40, Ronaldo is still scoring goals like he was doing in the prime of his career.
The Portuguese powerhouse has bagged 65 goals and registered 17 assists in just 72 appearances since moving to the Middle East.
And Ngannou doubled down that it’s the star’s commitment to improving that makes him one of the greatest.
He added: “Look at him, how many players at his moment in life are so dedicated as he is?
“There is nothing he is chasing now, I think he has everything from the sport. It’s just about the mindset, the lifestyle… dedication and hard work every day.”
Ngannou also discussed his own incredible rise having entered Europe as a refugee on a boat and gone on to fight Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The full interview is available to watch on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel.