Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared a new video on his YouTube channel with his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, where they discussed various aspects of the Portuguese star’s career, including his time at Real Madrid and his thoughts on the club’s performance in the Champions League. During the conversation, Ronaldo praised the mental strength of the Madrid team, emphasizing their ability to handle pressure in Europe’s top competition.

Real Madrid and the Champions League

Ronaldo was quick to dismiss the notion that Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League is merely down to luck. "Madrid is the type of team that doesn’t fold under pressure. People say they’re lucky in the Champions League, but it’s not just luck; it’s intelligence and preparation," the forward explained. He highlighted the unique energy at the Santiago Bernabéu, especially when big teams come to play there, noting that Real Madrid is always ready for those decisive moments.

The Portuguese icon also reflected on the club’s future following the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, expressing confidence in the team’s continued strength, though he stopped short of saying they would be better than previous seasons: "Mbappé is there now. I think Madrid will remain strong, but only God knows if they’ll be better than last year."

His time at Real Madrid

Ronaldo used the chat to look back on his time at Real Madrid, where he spent nine seasons and won numerous titles, including four Champions League trophies. "I played at Real Madrid and won everything. It was a pleasure. I arrived with a lot of pressure as the most expensive player in history, but I always believed in myself," Ronaldo said. He admitted that adapting to a new country was challenging, but his positive mindset helped him succeed and make history with the club.

On Mbappé and the future stars

Regarding Kylian Mbappé's move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo expressed great optimism about the French forward’s future: "Mbappé has great talent and has already proven his quality. He could be the next Ballon d'Or winner." Ronaldo also mentioned other young players he believes are set to dominate world football, including Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal.

Thoughts on Pepe and longevity in football

Ronaldo also spoke about his former teammate Pepe and the key to staying in peak condition over the years. "When you reach a certain age, the key is your mentality. If you take care of your body throughout your career, it will repay you," he explained. Ronaldo and Pepe, he said, are good examples of how professionalism on and off the pitch can extend a player’s career.

Motivation and Toni Kroos’ retirement

Lastly, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on maintaining motivation as his career progresses. "I still have the enthusiasm for football. I’m addicted to scoring goals and competing at a high level," he stated. He also respected Toni Kroos' decision to retire soon, acknowledging that every player’s journey is different. While Ronaldo believes Kroos could continue playing for a few more years, he understands that the German midfielder may have other plans for his future.