7 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is now the player he is

#2 Tough childhood

Growing up in his neighbourhood in Madeira wasn’t easy for the Portuguese. From that age itself, he was the best among his peers and played with guys who were years older than him. When almost-grown men see that a little kid is ripping them to shreds, they are bound to suffer pangs of jealousy.

That jealousy, in turn, pushes them to take an action. It either makes them try hard to do better or urges their dark side out and they try to bring the best down. As Cristiano was small in stature, they tried the latter for it was easier. After all, very few people in the world like to choose the tough path when an easier road exists.

So the Real Madrid man was bullied – like the Indian cricket team bullies bowlers on home flat tracks. (well, they do.)

Getting bullied can ruin one’s confidence and ability to believe in themselves. Many kids refuse to go to school because of bullying – waking up in the morning for school becomes their biggest dread, even more than facing the bullies.

But Cristiano Ronaldo was not your average kid. He rose above all of it and it made him stronger – now he is the one who bullies defenders with his sheer brilliance. It’s that dark force which made him the man he is today: that sometimes gets the better of him and he reveals his not-so-appreciable side once in a while.