Cristiano Ronaldo, a Manchester United star, has recounted what legendary Sir Alex Ferguson told him after his father died in 2005.
Ronaldo has won three Premier League crowns, two League Cups, an FA Cup, and a Champions League trophy while playing for Ferguson before returning to the Premier League giants last summer.
When describing his favorite memory from their relationship in Inside View, the Portuguese recalled Ferguson’s long talk with him.
In 2003, when he was 18 years old, the Portugal captain joined Manchester United from his home club Sporting CP.
José Dinis Aveiro, Ronaldo’s father, died two years later, when his son was still establishing himself as one of the game’s brightest young prospects.
“I remember one day that my father was in hospital and I was so emotional, so very low and I speak with him [Ferguson],” Ronaldo said on Inside View.
“And he said: ‘Cristiano, it doesn’t matter, go there.’ Two or three days. And we had difficult games, and I was a key player in that moment. And he said it will be tough but I understand your situation and you can go to see your father.
“For me this is the most important thing apart from winning Champions League, Premier Leagues, cups and stuff, because as I told you in the beginning, what he said to me, he always did. So I have to appreciate that moment.”