I am the coach who discovered Cristiano Ronaldo after noticing three qualities
CRISTIANO RONALDO'S former Sporting Lisbon boss Laszlo Boloni has revealed the Portuguese icon was destined for greatness after discovering three key things.
And his journey to becoming one of the best players in the world began with his first-team debut in August 2002.
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The Al-Nassr star has won 33 trophies in his fascinating career, including seven league titles, five Champions Leagues and a European Championship for Portugal.
And at just 17 years old, Ronaldo made his first appearance in the 58th minute of Sporting CP's Champions League qualifier against Inter Milan.
While the match ended 0-0, Sporting coach Boloni knew this was the start of something great for the youngster.
The 70-year-old noted not only his physical and technical skills, but also Ronaldo's maturity beyond his years.
That's what the Romanian said Marca: “I went to the youth team and asked if Cristiano could join the first team because he was in good physical condition, very fast and had great technical ability.
“None of this was a surprise. When I saw him in action, I decided that he would not play for the youth team anymore.
“He played and behaved like someone way beyond his years. In the dressing room he was a bit of a joker, but on the pitch he was exceptional.”
“It's not common for someone aged 16 to 17 to be as mature as he is.
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“I didn't know he would become one of the best ever, but I knew that if he avoided injuries he would be a very good player.”
Boloni, who currently stars at Ligue 1 club Mertz, even said Ronaldo could overtake Portuguese greats Luis Figo and Eusebio.
He continued: “At the time I was asked about him in an interview and I said he would surpass Luis Figo and even Eusebio.
“Comparing a young player to those two, who are considered gods in Portugal, caused me some problems. However, Ronaldo has proven me right all along.”
During the striker's youth playing days, Boloni also revealed how Ronaldo even played on the wing
He added: “He was young and only weighed 60kg, so it was going to be difficult for him to hold the ball up against 100kg centre-backs.
“On the wing, with the speed and dribbling ability he had, he would be much more effective.”
Alongside the Real Madrid icon during his early days in Lisbon was Fabio Paim – the only player Ronaldo has said will surpass him – but his career quickly took a turn for the worse.
The child prodigy at Sporting who should have been better than Ronaldo
Fabio Paim would become the best footballer in the world
Paim is the only player Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly declared to be better than him.
The winger was signed by Sporting Lisbon's youth academy at the age of eight, after which he left home to live in Lisbon and the hype quickly gained momentum.
Paim's talent seemed destined to propel him to greatness and surpass fellow Sporting Academy wonder Ronaldo, three years his senior.
But he did not make any senior debuts for Sporting and was loaned out to Chelsea in 2008.
Paim became “overwhelmed” by money and fame and spent his money on cars, women, alcohol and parties.
He then 'mentally' retired at the age of 22 and pursued a career as a journeyman in China, Angola, Lithuania, Qatar, Malta and Brazil, simply to finance his lavish lifestyle.
And in 2019, Paim's life took a worst turn when he was arrested for possessing 5 grams of cocaine.
He then ended up in the infamous Caxias prison for twelve months, next to where the Portuguese national team trained and where Paim had to watch Ronaldo from his cell window.