Cristiano Ronaldo had an influential impact on the career of a Manchester United Women star who is on the path to club legend status at Old Trafford.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward has been with current side Al Nassr since 2023 after his second spell with Manchester United came to an end in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his blockbuster return to Old Trafford in 2021 after he was signed from Serie A side Juventus for a £12.8m fee.
The United legend impressed during his first season back at the club, with Ronaldo scoring 24 times in 38 appearances for the Red Devils in the 2021-22 campaign.
However, Ronaldo fell down the pecking order after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked and replaced by Erik ten Hag ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Al Nassr superstar pulled no punches towards Erik ten Hag and United during a bombshell interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan in 2022.
Ronaldo’s contract with United was terminated by mutual agreement in the aftermath of his talk with Piers Morgan and the Portugal captain left the club.
Despite the mixed feelings about his second spell at United, Ronaldo’s influence has been felt by players who are still at the Premier League club.
Ronaldo’s influence on Man Utd Women star
Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself on the world stage when he first burst onto the scene at Manchester United under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up the Al Nassr skipper from Sporting CP in 2003 after Ronaldo impressed with his performance against the Red Devils at the time.
Ronaldo enjoyed a scintillating first spell with the Red Devils, including lifting the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards as a United player.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cups under Ferguson.
Ronaldo left United for the first time in 2009 and continued to add to his legendary legacy after his blockbuster transfer to La Liga side Real Madrid.
Manchester United Women star Ella Toone revealed that the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar had a seminal impact on her playing career.
“I always say it. He’s probably had such an impact on my career, the way that I wanted to be and that was Cristiano Ronaldo,” she told Sky Sports.
“I wore his boots. I wore the No 7 shirt. I was in love with him at Manchester United and the skills that he did and the confidence he played with.”
Toone received message from Ronaldo
Ella Toone, who wears the No 7 shirt like Ronaldo, has been tipped to reach club legend status at Old Trafford after her long-lasting mark with United Women.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder left Manchester City Women in 2018 and made her move to United Women, with the Lionesses star making a sensational impact.
Since her move to Old Trafford, Toone has become United Women’s all-time leading scorer and the player with the most appearances for the team.
The United Women star lifted major silverware in the 2023–24 season after her stunning performance in her side’s Women’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley.
Toone, who scored a worldie in the 4-0 thrashing of Tottenham in the Women’s FA Cup final, revealed she once received a video message from United legend Ronaldo.
“I didn’t actually get to meet him,” she added.
“I did see him one time, the girls were all looking through the window going: ‘That’s Ronaldo!’
“He did send me a video once and I’ve got that saved in the favourites!”