Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen Cristiano Ronaldo earned his first Portugal cap as an 18-year-old in 2003, few would have realistically expected it to be the beginning of a two-decade international career that would see records smashed and individual accolades thrown his way.When Ronaldo was first called up to the Portugal squad, he joined a dressing room containing established stars such as Luis Figo, Deco and Maniche, with the latter helping the youngster settle in.And it wouldnt take the former Porto and Atltico Madrid man long to realise that Ronaldo was not likely to be overawed by the world-class players surrounding him.Maniche on Ronaldos early days with PortugalDeco and I were the first to welcome him into the squad and protected him back then, because he was very young, barely 18, Maniche tells FourFourTwo.He was very playful despite his youth, he liked teasing the other players because he was competitive. Cristiano wasnt intimidated by team-mates with more status like Luis Figo, Fernando Couto or Pauleta. He had a strong personality, too very few players in history have had his kind of mentality. You may like HENRY WINTER: Cristiano Ronaldo is holding Portugal back - it's about time he accepted it Cristiano Ronaldo's goodbye tour has been eight years long. Why didn't he just retire in 2018? Will Cristiano Ronaldo get a Portugal send-off? Ronaldos determination to succeed and still burns to this day was evident in these early training sessions.He was the first to enter the dressing room and the last to leave training, Maniche continues. We would look at him, thinking, How is it possible that this kid is so mentally focused, always wanting more?Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, often had to stop him, because the next day hed be exhausted, but he wanted to train for two or three extra hours.For Maniche, it is this mentality that seperated Ronaldo from his peers.To reach 40 and still be playing, you have to be incredibly professional and deeply respect everything that you do nothing comes from luck, he continues. Hes an example for young players you cant think only about money, you have to do many things right to reach the top.He could have ended his career at 29 or 30, because even back then he had enormous financial stability, but he loves competing, pushing himself, being the star. He loves being the best in the world, and he loves being talked about. Its part of his personality.Ronaldo turned 41 earlier this year, but shows no sign of wanting to hang up his boots yet. So when will the end finally come?Cristiano will retire when he reaches 1,000 goals, and he will do it, without any doubt, his old Euro 2004 pal Maniche says. If he does that and also plays alongside his son, it will be the perfect ending to his story.TOPICSPortugalManchester UnitedWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
