The former Red Devils forward was less than impressed with the attitude of the Portuguese superstar during their days as team-mates at Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo was "an egotist" in the Manchester United dressing room who "always wanted to be near a mirror", according to Uruguay legend Diego Forlan.
However, former United favourite Forlan has painted a less-than-favourable impression of the 34-year-old's attitude off the pitch, despite his various successes at Old Trafford on it.
“Ronaldo was an egotist in the dressing room, not like Beckham," he told the Mirror. “Cristiano always wanted to be near a mirror. He spent all day looking in the mirror."
The pair briefly played together during Forlan's last season with the club, before he left to join Villarreal in the summer of 2004, having lifted the Premier League with the club.
Ronaldo would then help United to three further titles during his stay, as well as the Champions League in 2007-08 against major domestic rivals Chelsea.
Forlan, who announced his retirement from football earlier this month over a year after he left his final club Kitchee in the Hong Kong Premier League, also expounded upon Ronaldo's precursor Beckham's role in the infamous "hairdryer treatment" clash between the England skipper and Ferguson in 2003.
Following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, the manager kicked a boot across the dressing room that hit the midfielder in the face, grazing his eyebrow, with Beckham subsequently sold to Madrid a few months later.
“In the locker room, Ferguson and Beckham began to insult each other," Forlan recalled. “Every insult was worse than the last one and both men wanted to have the final word.
“Then Ferguson left and it seemed that the discussion was over, but then Beckham said something else. [The manager] turned around and saw a boot lying on the floor and kicked it toward [him].
“We all saw the blood and thought 'no, that didn't happen' but within a moment both men were getting ready to fight. That was when Roy Keane and Van Nistelrooy stepped in to separate them.”
Wutabopt
425
Forlan jealous of Ronaldo. Like everyone else.
SilverSurfer
328
How old was Ronaldo in 2003, just 18 years if I'm correct? He was still a teenager, they can be a pain on the ass sometimes. They act like they know everything but in fact still have to learn a lot. And don't forget his vanity is also part of his power, that's what brought him this far. Training every day to become a better Ronaldo don't underestimate this!? His mentality is very strong he wants to be the best, not all people like that because they feel intimidated by such a strong personality! And Forlan what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, or was this story already known bu the public? These things happen we are all human, you fight and reconcile and so But most important is to man up and learn from your mistakes made in the past. Love, peace and respect...✌🏿❤
Jemsthang
202
We all know how Ronaldo acts.. then wat is he trying to say.. Its Nature.. His character is given by God to be like that and to succeed. whats wrong with acting like himself n also he has done many Charity works which shows he is not that Egotist its just his nature of behaving
playa7
167
How many UCL did Forlan win??
Zakmsuy
155
CR7 the record breaker & record setter. They're annoyed because Fegurson used the boy to break all records in UNITED if not the likes of Beckham, Nisteeroy would have been making mouth & bragging now, but CR7 broke all barriers in UNITED & went further to create a mighty & difficult to break record@ Madrid. Starting from unveiling this guy pulled a huge crowd of more than 80k & his jersey of RONALDO alone sold more than 90k in his first month, then CRISTIANO RONALDO jersey sold 90k first month, then think of the boy's worth in just an appearance in a match, CR7 is more than them all, leave haters alone, Beckham was so lucky to have reigned before the arrival of the star boy, nobody would have heard their names.
AZharKHan77
96
If Cristiano stay in front of mirror then why this retire player have problem.. He can aslo stand in front of mirror.. Basically when ronaldo arrive he was fill with natural skills and these old mans dont have any skills.. Thats y today where is he and where is cristiano.. Cristiano left england and prove himself in Spain what he had done after leaving manu, world cup golden boy only.. Just keep quit and live ur remaining life with respect.. If u disrespect someone like cristiano.. We will not leave u ugly old man
Chelasani
95
Cristiano was always watching himself in the .mirror and the greatest player of all time was watching Ronaldo... may be if he had concentrated on his play rather than watching a teen age Ronaldo atleast he would have achieved 10% of what Cristiano achieved.... I have seen him many times speaking negatively about Cristiano... may be he is jealous of Ronaldo...
Chelasani
77
wait who is this forlan,corlan.... whatever...???? is he a yoga teacher...???
Todorov
71
Lol, I feel like this man has been waiting all his life to get chance to talk about how jealous he is of Ronaldo, most of the people don’t remember many names of the squad that Ronaldo played with at Man United, but Ronaldo is still on the top, that’s why he probably can’t sleep, because Ronaldo keep winning, no matter if he is egoist or not, he still play at top level and help the club to win. Go to sleep man.
Chris2002
71
A man who spent whole day looking at the mirror ended up being the best player in the world
Fiuaeiky
51
If they say so then they should say one thing that Beckham has done which Cr7 never accomplished apart from getting a wound on his eyebrow by problems with your manager
Pihbinprsz
33
I dont know why Forlan said this and why he said Ronaldo cannot succeed Beckham #7. Maybe he did not like Ronaldo's attitude during his teenage years or got nutmeg and got passed by him everytime he wanted to stop him [Crylaugh] Come on, He needed respect from what he did with the #7 cause no one after him did well with that #. IMO, if Beckham is to succeed after Ronaldo, this is my own opinion guys, he will not do better than him. Maybe he can change our perception of the #7 but he won't succeed him. Tell me Man Utd Legends or Ex players who choose Beckham over Ronaldo, I will wait CR7 is top there as best two in the WORLD with Messi #GGMU #HalaMadrid #ForzaJuve