During his time at Manchester United, Dimitar Berbatov shared a dressing room and training ground with some of the finest footballers in the world, but one player stood apart for his sheer intensity, professionalism, and relentless drive to be the best—Cristiano Ronaldo. Berbatov has often reflected on what it was like to train alongside the Portuguese star, describing the experience as both inspiring and exhausting, almost like going into battle every day.
According to Berbatov, training sessions with Ronaldo were never casual routines. They were battles of will, where the desire to win, even in small-sided games or drills, could ignite fiery competition. “Training with him was like a war,” Berbatov once said, explaining that the culture within Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad was already competitive, but Ronaldo’s hunger took it to another level. Teammates hated losing, yet it was Ronaldo who seemed to hate it the most, pushing himself and everyone around him with an intensity that demanded constant improvement.
That drive was not confined to the pitch. Berbatov recalled that Ronaldo’s daily routine was nothing short of extraordinary. He would arrive early to the gym before training began, making sure he was already ahead of the rest of the squad. After the formal sessions ended, he stayed behind to practice his shooting, fine-tuning the precision and power that would make him one of the greatest goalscorers in history. And when others would have called it a day, Ronaldo would push further—heading to the swimming pool for recovery work and then returning to the gym again to maintain peak condition. For Berbatov, this commitment illustrated not only talent but also a lifestyle built entirely around self-discipline and progress.
What also struck Berbatov was Ronaldo’s ability to balance focus with personality. Off the pitch, he was capable of making jokes, lightening the mood, and building camaraderie within the team. Yet, even during times when others allowed themselves to relax, Ronaldo’s discipline remained unshaken. Berbatov revealed that during Christmas parties or team celebrations, Ronaldo never touched alcohol, a small but telling detail that reinforced his complete dedication to football. For Berbatov, this behavior summed up Ronaldo perfectly: a professional who knew that even the smallest decisions contributed to greatness.
In reflecting on his year with Ronaldo, Berbatov summed it up powerfully by saying, “He trained like an animal, and I don’t remember him missing a single training session.” The image is of a man whose consistency was as remarkable as his brilliance on matchdays. To Berbatov, training with Ronaldo was not only about keeping up with his intensity but also about witnessing firsthand the habits and discipline that elevate a great talent into a footballing legend.
For Berbatov, Ronaldo was more than just a teammate; he was a daily reminder of the level of sacrifice and determination required to stay at the very top of world football. Training with him was a war, but it was also a masterclass in what it takes to be extraordinary.