‘I scored goals with Cristiano Ronaldo at 15. Even then his mindset and will to win was extraordinary’

June 23, 2026 - 06:41

Paulo Sergio, who played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in Sporting Lisbon's academy from 1999 to 2003, has shared a vivid portrait of the future superstar as a teenager. According to Sergio, even at 15, Ronaldo's mentality set him apart from every other player on the pitch.

"Even then, his mindset and will to win was extraordinary," Sergio said. "I scored goals with Cristiano Ronaldo at 15. He was not just talented. He was obsessed with being the best."

Sergio described a young Ronaldo who would stay long after training ended, practicing free kicks and dribbling drills alone. While other academy players were content to go home, Ronaldo demanded more from himself. He would challenge older players to one-on-one duels and refuse to leave the field until he won.

The Portuguese forward's physical development also stood out. Sergio recalled that Ronaldo was already fast and technically sharp, but his hunger for improvement made him unstoppable. "He could not stand losing, even in a small-sided game. He would get angry, frustrated. But that fire pushed him forward."

Sergio's memories align with what many later said about Ronaldo's rise. The drive that made him a five-time Ballon d'Or winner was visible long before he joined Manchester United. For those who saw him at Sporting, the success was no surprise. It was simply the result of a boy who refused to settle for anything less than greatness.