Former German footballer Michael Ballack recently made headlines when he shared his special memories of Cristiano Ronaldo, the football star who is considered a symbol of dedication, perseverance and boundless passion. In a recent interview, Ballack gave Ronaldo respectful compliments – a rare thing in the fiercely competitive world of football.

Ballack opened with a statement that made fans nod their heads:

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the type of player everyone hates to face. His skills, speed and confidence make defenders afraid. Every time we try to stop him, the result is usually… we get fouled.”

According to Ballack, Ronaldo is not only a player with extraordinary goalscoring ability, but also a warrior who is always hungry for victory, never satisfied with the status quo. At his peak at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Ronaldo always overwhelmed opponents with his superior physical strength, incredible acceleration and cold-blooded goal-scoring instinct.

However, what Ballack truly admired was not his performance on the pitch, but his personality and the person he was off it. He said:

“Off the pitch, Cristiano is a completely different person – humble, polite and extremely passionate about training. I met him in London, and the first thing he asked was about my family. Then he touched my bicep and joked: ‘Good! Where do you train? Come train with me!’”

According to Ballack, it is his iron discipline and intense love of training that has kept Ronaldo in top form even after turning 40. He continues to compete at the highest level, currently playing in the top flight of Saudi Arabia, where he is not only a player but also an inspiration to young people around the world.

Ballack emphasized:

“When you see Ronaldo training, you understand why he never slows down. He never rests properly. For Ronaldo, training is a joy, not an obligation.”

Indeed, many sources say Ronaldo maintains a strict Olympic-level regimen, including sleeping on time, eating a personalized diet, and training 5-6 hours a day, even during vacations. He once said:

“What I fear most is the feeling of losing form. That’s why I always train as if I were 25.”

That’s why when Ronaldo is still scoring regularly and playing in major tournaments in 2025, people no longer see it as a surprise — but as proof of the immortality of a living legend.

Ballack concluded the interview with a smile:

“There are many talented players, but only a few turn their talent into a legacy. Ronaldo is one of them. He plays not only for himself, but also for the belief that age has no limit to passion.”

Today, when many of his contemporaries have retired, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to stride on the pitch, participate in international matches, and constantly conquer new records. At an age when others think of retirement, he still shows his strength, speed and determination.

It can be said that, as Ballack once affirmed, Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a great player – he is the definition of perseverance, discipline and pure love for football. And that is what has made his name a timeless icon in the history of world sports.