Anderson has issued a strong defence of former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford under a cloud.
The Portuguese superstar returned to Manchester in the summer of 2021 to much fanfare, but quickly things began to decline. Results nosedived and Ronaldo faced the brunt of criticism for his performances and perceived influence on the group.
Erik ten Hag, who arrived in the summer, opted to marginalise the forward, restricting him to a squad role. Ronaldo eventually erupted in a tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, which prompted United to terminate the player's contract. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's legacy, in the eyes of many, had been tarnished by his actions.
Ronaldo's compatriot Anderson, though, tells a very different story, having got to know him intimately during their two years together - and maintains his personal skills and dedication are what set him apart.
He told Sport : "With Ronaldo you are surprised at every moment. He thinks 100% about football. The game ends and he goes straight home to recover. Great professional and great friend. A lot of people don't know it, but he helps a lot of people. He has a very good heart. He took us to training, he cared. In England he was very important to me.
"If I had 5 per cent of the mentality of Cristiano Ronaldo, I could have been among the best in the world. I know it now. He had talent, quality. Also with focus. I had a nice career because I won many things, but I could have gone much further. You have to be honest. With 5 per cent of Cristiano...I would still play at the top level now, easily."
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Ronaldo has since joined Al-Nassr after few major European clubs showed an interest in signing him. A move to Saudi Arabia is seen by many as a money making scheme, which the player obviously rejects. United great Eric Cantona has cited how Ronaldo was unable to accept a different role as he aged as a major problem.
He explained in an interview to the Manchester Evening News : "He came back here and United wasn't the United he left and sometimes he doesn't realise things changed. So maybe he was surprised so many things changed."
The Frenchman also added: "Like (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic still does it with Milan, Ryan Giggs or (Paolo) Maldini when he was in Milan. But I think Ronaldo didn't realise - and he still doesn't realise - he's not 25 years old. He's just older and he should have realised that instead of being not happy to play some games, say, 'okay, I am not 25 years old, I cannot play every game, but I will help the young players and accept that situation and that's my situation'."
