Mikael Silvestre has insisted that former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has "raised and raised" the bar in his legendary playing career.

Sir Alex Ferguson brought Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford in 2003 after he signed the Manchester United legend from Portuguese side Sporting CP.

Cristiano Ronaldo shot to superstardom during his first spell at Old Trafford and lifted the first of his five Ballon d'Or awards at the Red Devils.

During his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, the former United superstar lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup.

Ronaldo's remarkable first spell at United came to an end in 2009 after he completed his blockbuster move to La Liga club Real Madrid for a world-record fee at the time.

The 39-year-old former Manchester United player added four more Ballon d'Or awards and four more Champions League titles to his collection at Madrid.

MORE UNITED STORIES

Ronaldo, who became Madrid's all-time leading scorer, also lifted two La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys before he signed for Juventus in 2018.

Speaking to Al Nassr's social media channels, Mikael Silvestre insisted that the United and Real Madrid legend is a "prodigy" of football.

"I had the chance to play with him for four seasons," he said.

"If we start at the beginning, when he first came, he was a bit shy but soon enough he became one of the stars of the team.

"At that time, it wasn't easy but he made his mark. He left his native Portugal, he adapted quickly - he wasn't speaking the language but, on the field, when he started, he was already making a lot of waves. He was a prodigy."

Silvestre on Ronaldo at Al Nassr Ronaldo lifted two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia with Juventus before he completed a blockbuster return to United in 2021.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner impressed in his first season back at Old Trafford, but Ronaldo's homecoming would come to an end in 2022.

Ronaldo fell down the pecking order under former United manager Erik ten Hag and the United legend dropped a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan in 2022.

The Portugal skipper's contract with United was terminated by mutual agreement in 2022 before he completed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2023.

"After that, he has just raised and raised and is still going at his age," Silvestre added.

"This is unbelievable what he's achieving. We don't know the end, he hasn't said when he wants to stop.

"I think it's fantastic to have him at Nassr and doing what he does as a leader, as a captain, as a goalscorer.

"He's everything they need and it's something fantastic for Saudi in general to have him."

Related Posts