Vain, disciplined, consistent: Cristiano Ronaldo is a football legend like no other. How did this hyper-athletic, prone-to-cry Portuguese player become such a dominant force—not only in football but on the world stage?

This episode is the first of two on the legendary football player and covers Ronaldo’s early life. The episode chronicles Ronaldo’s childhood, growing up as an unwanted child in relative poverty in Madeira, and his move to the Portuguese mainland, where he became determined to work harder, better, and faster than everyone else.

Simon and Mehreen paint a picture of Ronaldo’s ascent to international fame and superstardom, giving insight into his relationship with Alex Ferguson and Ronaldo’s tendency to always be an individual rather than a team player.

This is the first part of a story of the man who takes himself so seriously he has become a meme—and how his egocentric, strict discipline and routine helped to propel him to the top.

*Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual assault allegations, marked in the timestamps*

Time stamps:

0:36: Introduction and stats

4:01: Growing up in poverty in Madeira

9:22: Arrival to the mainland and showing fierce discipline

15:13: Youth career and rising competition for fame

20:40: Arrival at Manchester United 

26:36: UEFA 2004 and a teenager’s determination for greatness

30:20: Controversies and acclaim at Manchester United 

39:00: Ronaldo’s first Ballon D’Or (but not the last)

46:22: Alex Ferguson’s infantilisation of Ronaldo at Manchester United

50:25: Sexual assault allegations in Las Vegas *TW: contains mentions of alleged sexual violence that some listeners may find upsetting*

56:12: Wrap up and look towards part two

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