Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 things that come to mind?

The human mind is a highly complex entity. The way the nerve cells work with each other determines the health of a brain. For every action or thought, the neurons move in a specific way to accompany each of them – this is how we remember things. And this is how we make connections between objects.

When we hear something or come to remember someone, it often leads to a series of thoughts that links the certain something or someone that we think of. So, let’s think about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is a widely misunderstood character. He comes off as many things – and some of them are not exactly pleasant. However, his achievements are undeniable as here are the 5 things that come to mind when we think of Cristiano Ronaldo.

---

#5 Hard working

This is one of the first things that springs to the mind when thinking about Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal captain is perhaps the most hardworking player on his team as he never shies away from diligence.

Be it training on the ground or hitting the gym to gain muscles, the former Manchester United player never compromises on this front. His chiselled body, which he is never shy to flaunt, is a perfect depiction of the number of hours he spends pumping iron.

It is for this very reason – amalgamated with talent – that he transformed himself into such a devastating attacker over the years. The lanky 32-year-old from Madeira turned himself from a talented winger to one of the greatest goalscorers in history – and it was mostly down to hard work.

#4 Hunger

Cristiano Ronaldo is a winner

Nothing really matters without hunger. Actually, nothing really happens without hunger. It is the desire to achieve something – the inscrutable and insatiable hunger – that drives us to do something in order to get what we want.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, becoming the best is an obsession. Even at the age of 32, he trains and works just as hard – perhaps harder – and, more unbelievably, dreams of being the best till his late 30s is an indication of just how big his appetite is.

Every time he misses a chance or loses a game, he reacts in an aminated manner, which is often seen by many as tantrum or act of petulance, but the fact is that Ronaldo does not like to lose.

The late Steve Jobs said, "stay hungry, stay foolish" – and Cristiano Ronaldo is the epitome of that quote.

#3 Arrogance

Cristiano often loses his cool

This is not always a bad thing, but the line is so fine that you never know when you cross it. In the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, his hunger to win and be the best, often makes him susceptible to cross the line.

Added to that the fact that defenders go absolutely berserk on him with rough challenges, makes him prone to lose his temper on a regular basis. And this is what happens quite frequently as there are many incidents where the Portugal captain is seen losing his cool and having a go at the defender verbally or, in some cases, physically.

The former Sporting starlet is never shy to express himself and often becomes the subject of controversy in the media. Be it his infamous "I am rich, handsome and a great player" jibe or when he threw the mic of a reporter, who approached him to ask a question, the number 7 has had his fair share of tantrums.

Make no mistake about this, arrogance is both good and bad – it is necessary to become a great player, but sometimes it gets the better of you. And with Cristiano, it happens quite frequently.

#2 Portugal captain

The trophy Cristiano loves the most

I will be honest here and come clean about this, I once thought that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi won't make great captains and while the jury is still out for the Argentine, the Portugal captain has proven himself as the better one in this regard.

It is not just because of the fact that he has won an international trophy with his country, but the way he inspires his team with his vocal power and driving nature. One could have seen his passion and spirit during Portugal's final against France, where he was rallying his team-mates from the sidelines after being forced off the field due to injury.

That day, it became clear that he is a leader and can galvanise his troops like a captain does. At the end of the day, he had a Euro trophy on his resume – further amplifying his already ever-burgeoning status in the football fraternity.

#1 Messi’s greatest rival

Messi and Cristiano at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014

At this point of time, one could claim that Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps more successful than his Argentine counterpart - simply because the Portuguese has what Lionel Messi craves more than anything - a trophy with his international team.

In a time when the Argentina number 10 is heads and shoulders above anyone in terms of natural ability, Cristiano Ronaldo stands toe-to-toe as a contemporary to the Argentine legend as his greatest rival.

There have been many great players in history, but there has never been a time when two players locked horns like the Portuguese and the Argentine have done in the last decade.

The fact that the last 9 Ballon d’Ors were won by either of the two is a clear testament to the claim.