Portugal coach Anthony Barry has explained how being able to turn “into a little boy again” has helped to make Cristiano Ronaldo a footballing GOAT.
- Spent over decades at the very top
- Continues to rewrite the history books
- Showing no sign of slowing down at 39
WHAT HAPPENED?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has spent over 20 years at the very top of his game, with another 50 goals added to a record-breaking collection during the 2023-24 campaign at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo continues to rewrite the history books and is about to grace an 11th major international tournament.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
CR7 is now 39 years of age, but he is slowing no sign of slowing down or considering a hanging up of illustrious boots. He continues to demand the highest standards of himself and those around him, with it that relentless pursuit of perfection that separates the best from the rest.
WHAT BARRY SAID
Barry, who works alongside Roberto Martinez in the Portuguese national team set-up, has told Sky Sports of what it is like to coach evergreen frontman Ronaldo: “He is two years older than me, but he looks about seven years younger! How do you coach that? I think in two ways. Cristiano is always challenging himself, so Cristiano is never satisfied – there is not enough for Cristiano in the game. That is exactly why he has had the career he’s had. Secondly, for me there is always the next challenge in sport. We’re going into the Euros now and the challenge is to win it, the challenge is for Cristiano to be at his best level. It’s my job to give him that platform – give Cristiano the platform for the next five weeks to play his best football. The challenges are always there in sport. Cristiano is, of course, a unique guy, a global icon, a football superstar and it’s a privilege, it’s never lost on you that you’re part of his journey and you get the platform and the privilege to coach him – that’s never lost on me. He has an amazing ability to walk out onto the pitch and he turns into this little boy again, still he can find the joy of a six, seven-year-old playing football – the excitement, the enjoyment. His whole demeanour changes when he walks onto the pitch, and that’s an amazing ability to be able to have. Also put together with the other factors of this incredible level of discipline and patience and sacrifice. This combination of everything is what makes him one of, if not the greatest player of all-time.”
WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
Questions have been asked of how prominently Ronaldo will figure at Euro 2024, amid suggestions that he may have to make peace with bench duty at times, but those inside the Portugal camp are offering no indication that the all-time great will not be asked to lead by example once again as captain of his country.
