Cristiano Ronaldo, speaking in an interview with Coach Magazine, has been speaking about the managers which have influenced his career. He also spoke about his relationship with Lionel Messi -- and touched on who the toughest defender he's ever faced is...
On toughest opponent:
Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole -- he doesn’t give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player, quick, tough in the tackle -- when he was at his peak. You knew it would never be an easy game.
On Mourinho:
I have played for so many great coaches, but José Mourinho was a big thinker analytically, he went into everything in great detail.
On Zidane:
We had not started well, but then Zidane arrived and was the catalyst for one of my best-ever seasons. We went on a great run in La Liga, won the Champions League, and then I won the European Championships with Portugal. It was a great season for me and Real Madrid, and the right coach can be that inspiration.
On Sir Alex:
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I do see Sir Alex Ferguson as a father figure. All my coaches have been important, but when I arrived at Real Madrid I was a man, when I arrived at Manchester United I was a boy. All of a sudden you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and at that time I needed somebody like Sir Alex.