Antony reveals Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless work ethic left him 'embarrassed' during Man

Antony says Cristiano Ronaldo's dedication to fitness made a lasting impression during their brief spell together at Manchester United in 2022-23, recalling an awkward sauna moment when Ronaldo showed off his physique and joked about looking 23. The comments, published via a World Soccer Talk summary of an interview Antony gave to Globoesporte, underline how Ronaldo's off-field discipline continues to shape his reputation even as a veteran of the game.

What Antony said about Ronaldo

According to the World Soccer Talk piece, Antony described being impressed — and slightly embarrassed — by Ronaldo's attention to diet, training and recovery at the end of the Portuguese forward's second spell at Old Trafford. Antony said Ronaldo was a role model and recalled conversations that ranged beyond football, with Ronaldo sometimes deliberately steering talk away from the sport to discuss books and life.

Context: their time at Manchester United

Antony joined Manchester United from Ajax in the summer of 2022 and encountered Ronaldo during the Portuguese star's final months at the club in the 2022-23 season, the same period when Ronaldo would later leave for Al Nassr. The World Soccer Talk summary frames Antony's reaction against that backdrop, noting Antony was 22 at the time and Ronaldo was approaching 38, yet maintaining peak physical condition through strict routines.

• Antony recalled a sauna moment when Ronaldo joked about looking 23 and displayed his physique.
• Antony praised Ronaldo's discipline regarding training, diet, and recovery.
• Antony described Ronaldo as a role model and someone who discussed life topics beyond football.
• Antony named Neymar, not Ronaldo, as the best player he has played with and cited Romario and Ronaldo (Nazario) among favourite strikers.

Why it matters

Antony's comments add to a familiar narrative about Cristiano Ronaldo: that his longevity is supported by rigorous personal routines and a professional approach that younger teammates notice. Personal anecdotes like this provide insight into how elite players can influence squad culture, training standards and younger professionals' development.

The source for these remarks is a World Soccer Talk article which summarises Antony's interview with Globoesporte and references ESPN for another quote. The published summary supplies direct quotations attributed to Antony but does not include the full original interview transcript.

What happens next

No further developments — such as new statements from Ronaldo, Manchester United, or full published text from Globoesporte — are referenced in the source. Verifying the original Globoesporte interview and the ESPN item would confirm exact wording and additional context; until then this article relies on the World Soccer Talk summary.