“When he talks, you have to listen.”
Anthony Elanga received ‘great’ advice from Cristiano Ronaldo before he broke into Manchester United’s first team.
The Swedish under-21 international established himself in the Man United team squad three months ago under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Elanga has scored three times in 2022 -with Premier League goals against Brentford and Leeds. He also scored a vital equaliser away against Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
After Elanga’s run of form, and goals, in the United first team, it was only a matter of time before some of his older interviews were pored over for insights and background.
Anthony Elanga’s development.
Ronaldo consoled Elanga following his penalty miss against Middlesborough which put Man United out of the FA Cup. Elanga played with Ronaldo for the first time in December, however, the youngster sought advice from the Portuguese legend months before.
Elanga revealed in an interview, given before his first-team breakthrough, how accessible Ronaldo is with United’s younger players. The all-time football top scorer is the complete role model in the 19-year-olds eyes.
“He knows what it takes to play at an absolute top level and when he talks you have to listen. I like to ask him questions and listen to what he says so I can find out what I can improve,” Elanga said.
“I have asked things like how he shoots, how he works mentally, and how he reacts when things do not go so well for him in a game. He is very kind and takes the time to talk to me.
“Many people may not see that side of him, but he is a very kind person who takes the time to talk to us youngsters. It’s very important to me.”
Ronaldo is a role model.
The 37-year-old emphasises hard work is required in order to be successful. Amthony Elanga repeats Ronaldo’s sentiments as a result.
Elanga highlights how Ronaldo is “a really good person” and always gives his time to speak to the younger members of the Man United squad.
“He always tells me that I should put my head down and work harder, every day, he says that when I get the chance to play, I will take it and really show what I can do. He says I should just be myself.”
“It’s so cool. I mean, it’s him. He has won everything and it would be so easy for him to say that he does not have time with me, but he always takes that time and talks to us youngsters,” Elanga added.
“That’s probably what I like most about him. Everyone knows how good he is on the pitch, but he is also great off the pitch. A really good person.”
Cristiano Ronaldo stands over Anthony Elanga after he was struck by an object thrown from the stands at Elland Road, in February 2022. (Credit: Getty Images)
