Exclusive Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Early Coach at Sporting CP: He Nearly Quit Football at a Young Age and Was Close to Joining Inter Milan and Arsenal

Renowned journalist Di Marzio published an exclusive interview with Leonel Pontes, Cristiano Ronaldo’s early coach during his time at Sporting CP and current sporting director of Shanghai Shenhua. Pontes reminisces about some of the events from Ronaldo’s childhood.

Pontes is now the sporting director of Shanghai Shenhua but still cherishes his years as a coach: “I remember training players for 11 years at one of the best football academies in the world, including four years as assistant coach at Sporting CP and four years with the Portuguese national team…”

Pontes has trained and guided many stars such as Nani, Quaresma, Pepe, Moutinho… Among them, the most illustrious name is undoubtedly the football legend and superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pontes recalled his first contact with Ronaldo, saying: “He came very young, very shy, but he would observe everything around him like an adult… There was a time when Ronaldo wanted to stay away from the pitch and quit football. At the age of 12, alone in Lisbon, he missed home, and I accompanied him to the airport for Christmas holidays back to Madeira, I was very worried that he wouldn’t come back.”

However, Ronaldo eventually overcame his difficulties and returned to training, which greatly pleased Pontes: “He already had the mentality to win at that time, challenging older players, he loved competition. Off the field, he enjoyed playing table tennis and billiards. The most unforgettable thing for me? The weekends I spent with his parents, his mother asked me ‘Can my child really become a professional player? He is so skinny’, and I answered without hesitation ‘Yes!’ Ronaldo always wanted to improve himself, to perfect his skills, speed up his dribbling, he even trained with weights on his ankles!”

Pontes revealed that before signing with Manchester United, Ronaldo was once close to joining Inter Milan and Arsenal: “At that time, scouts from all over Europe were watching him, especially from Inter Milan and Arsenal. But in the end, Sir Alex Ferguson won, giving the order ‘Don’t leave until you get the kid’s signature’! In the end, the English club beat all the competitors.”