Ronaldo 'learned a lot with me', says Nani

Nani claims he taught Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo a lot in youth football, said with a smile in an interview with Major League Soccer.

Ronaldo, Nani

Source: Getty Images

Orlando City captain Nani named former Manchester United teammate Ronaldo in his dream five-a-side team in an MLS video posted on social media.

"Cristiano," he said with certainty to the camera.

"Cristiano Ronaldo with all these skills, fast feet - all I teach him in the youth, you know."

"He learned a lot with me. He knows, he knows," Nani added with a laugh.

Nani picked two other former Red Devils teammates for his dream team - Spain international David de Gea as goalkeeper and, when he wasn't allowed to pick himself, retired midfielder Paul Scholes.

"In the goal: de Gea. For me, one of the best in the world and a good friend of mine," he said.

“He must bring his glasses with him because he doesn’t see anything without [them]. It’s true!

"The other player would be... English player: Paul Scholes. Great control of the ball, great vision."

The other two players he named were also guys he played alongside in the Portugal national team - 'idol' Deco and defender Bruno Alves.

"Deco. One of my idols, and I learned a lot with him," he said. "His technique fits very well on the five v five.

"I would put a defender... Bruno Alves. For a defender he has a lot of technique.

"If you need to play, he can play. If you need to destroy, he's there."

Nani, like Ronaldo, came up through Sporting CP's youth system in Portugal before a big-money move as a youngster to Manchester United.

He then had spells at Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, and back at Sporting twice before arriving in the United States with Orlando.

Nani, Ronaldo and Alves won EURO 2016 together, upsetting host nation France in the final.


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