Premier League legend reveals moment he knew Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality was on another level
Today at 12:37 PM
Emmanuel Adebayor knew Cristiano Ronaldo was on another level when he arrived the earliest at training.
But CR7 wasn’t there for extra hours on the training pitch, to wake up with a gruelling gym session, or even to enjoy a nice quiet breakfast – he got there early to swim.
Adebayor is mostly known for his time at Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City, but in January 2011 City boss Roberto Mancini loaned the striker out to Real Madrid.
An unusual move at first glance, but Mancini did not consider the former Gunner as part of his plans.
Man City bought Edin Dzeko that same window from German club Wolfsburg for £27million.
Jose Mourinho – Real boss at the time – was struggling with injuries to his forward line with both Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain on the sidelines.
His first choice as cover was to re-sign Ruud van Nistelrooy but Hamburg – having joined the German club from Real Madrid just 12 months before – did not let the Dutchman leave.
Adebayor as second choice was happy to take a pay cut and join Real Madrid on a short-term loan in January, and link up with a squad filled with world class talent.
Playing alongside Kaka, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Ronaldo, Adebayor appeared 22 times for the Spanish giants and scored eight goals, helping the club lift the Copa del Rey.
The Togo international partnered Ronaldo who was on a crazy run of form – one that only comes to fruition after hard work, as Adebayor revealed.
"When I arrived at Real Madrid, I was told training is at 10:30am," said Adebayor.
"I thought, okay, let me come at 8:30am so I'm first. I got there at 8:45am, the dressing room was dark… but I could hear some noise underneath.
"I asked one of the physios, 'What is happening downstairs?' He said Cristiano Ronaldo is downstairs swimming already."
That was the season he netted 53 goals and grabbed 18 assists in all competitions.
The Portuguese international earned the LaLiga golden boot with 40 goals, nine ahead of Lionel Messi.
However it was a year of struggle as Los Blancos lost out on the league title and Champions League crown to Barcelona.
Messi also won the 2011 Ballon D'Or, his third in a row. He would later pick up a fourth successive one in 2012.
Despite Messi's accomplishments, Adebayor believes Ronaldo is the best to ever play the sport.
In his interview with Australian journalist Adamo De Nigris, when asked if Ronaldo is the greatest, Adebayor replied: "Yes for me, obviously.
“The top scorer in the final of the Champions League, the top goalscorer in the world, top goal scorer in the semi-final of the Champions League, the top scorer in the quarter-final of the Champions League.
"You want me to mention them? It's too much. The list goes on and on."
Adebayor returned from his Madrid loan in the summer of 2011 and was then transferred to Spurs – his former club Arsenal’s fiercest rivals.
He initially arrived back in north London on loan for the 2011/12 campaign, before signing permanently the next summer.
In 113 appearances for the north London club he netted 42 goals and contributed 17 assists – adding to his eventual total of 97 career goals in the English top flight.
