Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has offered a unique insight into the extreme levels Cristiano Ronaldo goes to in an attempt to be the very best that he can be.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was United's knight in shining armour once again against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, is considered as one of the fittest and professional athletes, certainly in his age range, still playing competitive sport.
The 36-year-old is in pristine shape and is showing no sign of slowing down, despite most footballers his age coming towards the end of their playing careers.
Ronaldo, who returned to United during the summer transfer window from Juventus, however, is not like most footballers. He is a character that goes above and beyond, often driven by his desire to win and not knowing when enough is enough.
Now, former United man Evra, who played alongside the Portugal international during his first spell at Old Trafford, has outlined how dedicated his former team-mate is to the cause, as well as outlining what life is like in the Ronaldo household come mealtime.
Evra told talkSPORT: "Cristiano, first of all, as a person and human being, is so generous, so nice and people don't see that face.
"But he is a winner. He is addicted.
"For example, when we had training at 10am, Cristiano was already there for 8am. When we had finished training, he was still on the pitch practicing.
"When he invited me for lunch... don't ever go for lunch, because you are going to have one of the most boring lunches at Cristiano's; it is salad, plain chicken and water. There isn't even fizzy water.
"After that, we went into the garden, trained for a little bit, went swimming, went to the sauna and at one point I looked at him and said: 'Bro, we have just finished a training session, why do we have to a second training session?'"
As well as offering a first-hand account of what you are likely to be served for a meal if visiting Ronaldo's house, Evra also opened up on the former Real Madrid man's obsession for United and love for the club.
"I cannot understand people saying that he should never have come back," added Evra. "Cristiano loves United. When Cristiano was in Madrid, the only club he mentioned when I talked to him was United.
"I promise you, even if Cristiano didn't score in a whole season, he'd never get booed, not because he has got the credit for what he has done before. It is because he is Ronaldo. He should never be banished because he can score in any moment.
"Ronaldo is the best player in the world."
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