On August 12, 2003, the still just 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Manchester Airport, fresh-faced and with the expectation of picking up his old and completely innocuous squad number, 28, from Sporting Lisbon. However, Sir Alex Ferguson had a very different idea and was adamant right from the beginning that for Manchester United Ronaldo would wear the legendary number 7. “Alex Ferguson said to me: 'Listen, I want you to take number seven,'” recalls Ronaldo. “I was surprised because I knew the guys who had worn that shirt.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, as you all know now, quickly proved himself more than worthy of the iconic number and under the guidance of Alex Ferguson and with his own steeled determination began transforming himself.
“It was the beginning of my success in football. I improved not just my skills but my body too.” - Cristiano Ronaldo
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