Cristiano Ronaldo : Manchester United players who made me realised i am a star

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to three of his former Manchester United teammates who helped make him realise his true potential.

The Real Madrid superstar beat long-time rival Lionel Messi to his fifth Ballon d’Or crown after spearheading Real Madrid to a Champions League and La Liga double over the 2016/17 season.

During the course of the calendar year the Portugal international – who also won the award last year – has scored 49 goals in 56 appearances.

Ronaldo spent his formative years at Sporting Lisbon before establishing himself as one of the greatest players in Manchester United’s rich history over the course of a six-year period during which Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won nine major honours.

Ballon d'Or ranking

1: Cristiano Ronaldo
2: Lionel Messi
3: Neymar
4: Gianluigi Buffon
5: Luka Modric
6: Sergio Ramos
7: Kylian Mbappé
8: N’Golo Kanté
9: Robert Lewandowski
10: Harry Kane
11: Edinson Cavani
12: Isco
13: Luis Suarez
14: Kevin De Bruyne
15: Paulo Dybala
16: Marcelo
17: Toni Kroos
18: Antoine Griezmann
19: Eden Hazard
20: David De Gea
21: Leonardo Bonucci and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
23: Sadio Mané
24: Radamel Falcao
25: Karim Benzema
26: Jan Oblak
27: Mats Hummels
28: Edin Dzeko
29: Dries Mertens and Philippe Coutinho.

The 32-year-old claims he always knew he was different to his piers but it wasn’t until he arrived at Old Trafford that he became aware of his ability when he didn’t feel out of place alongside three of United’s most established stars.

‘Since I was 14, 15 or 16 years old I knew that I was different from other kids,’ Ronaldo said. ‘I did different things.

‘I realized that I was good at Manchester United, when I played with players like Giggs, Keane or Ferdinand. I had talent.

‘The English mentality is different and those people helped me a lot to be what I am now.

‘I have to thank my colleagues in Manchester.’