Cristiano Ronaldo: Sir Alex Ferguson is my father in football

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, describing him as his ‘father in football’.

The Real Madrid star gave Fergie the accolade because ‘he has taught me so many things’.

‘He’s a fantastic person. A human person. He taught me many things. Like I said before, he’s like a father in football, because he taught me many things. I really miss him because I have a great relationship with him,’ he told CNN International.

Asked how hard Fergie could be on players, he said: ‘Very tough. I think sometimes he cannot be like that because, how old is he? 70? It’s not good for his heart. He’s still tough, strong, I remember him the first time I saw him he was with the same power.

Ronaldo was also asked about how he was shaping up as a father. ‘I think I’m not bad. I still learn, but I think it’s the best thing in life to have a kid. And I think it’s, it’s like a dream. To wake up in the morning and to see him and say “daddy daddy” it’s like a feeling like if you really have a kid, who will know what I’m talking about. It’s great. I love it.