Marcus Rashford has once again opened up about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the Portuguese legend as the ultimate example of dedication and longevity in football. The SoftFootball report about Rashford finding new energy and joy at Barcelona notes that Rashford’s respect for Ronaldo goes beyond mere fandom, as it’s about the mentality and discipline that define greatness.
Rashford said, reflecting on the time they shared the dressing room at Manchester United, in an interview shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account:
Cristiano is the player who represented his country the most. I was lucky to play with him.
The English forward, who has often named Lionel Messi as his personal GOAT, admitted that watching Ronaldo up close had a different kind of impact. Rashford explained:
Watching him up close taught me what it means to stay at the top for so many years.
According to SoftFootball, Kylian Mbappé shares that same admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Rashford’s perspective fits that growing narrative of players inspired by Ronaldo’s drive.
During Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford from 2021 to 2022, Rashford had the opportunity to play alongside him in 39 matches across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Rashford once said about the experience:
It was unbelievable
He added that Ronaldo’s professionalism and intensity on and off the pitch left a lasting impression. He learnt the importance of consistency, preparation, and mentality, which are traits that the Portuguese forward has embodied for over two decades.
Although the pair never played together internationally — Rashford for England, Ronaldo for Portugal — their bond as former teammates remains strong. Rashford said:
I’ll keep that with me forever. To see how he trains, recovers, and stays hungry – that’s something you can’t forget.
