MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Cristiano Ronaldo Hit With A Suspended Prison Sentence

Cristiano Ronaldo Hit With A Suspended Prison Sentence

Adidas Calls In The Big Guns Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup

Adidas Calls In The Big Guns Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup

You're More Likely To Pick Up During The World Cup

You're More Likely To Pick Up During The World Cup

Mexican World Cup Fans Cheer So Hard, They Actually Caused An Earthquake

Mexican World Cup Fans Cheer So Hard, They Actually Caused An Earthquake

{headline}

{headline}

The Top 5 Major Sporting Events Still To Come In 2018

The Top 5 Major Sporting Events Still To Come In 2018

The Internet Is In Love With This Fifa World Cup Tournament Ambassador

The Internet Is In Love With This Fifa World Cup Tournament Ambassador

The Secret Behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Rig

The Secret Behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Rig

{headline}

{headline}

Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Had To Overhaul His Diet To Become The GOAT

Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Had To Overhaul His Diet To Become The GOAT

Tim Cahill: “The Best Piece Of Advice My Dad Gave Me? 'You Can't Live In A Car'."

Tim Cahill: “The Best Piece Of Advice My Dad Gave Me? 'You Can't Live In A Car'."

Ronaldo's Pre-Game Ritual Involves Staring At Himself In The Mirror... Naked

Ronaldo's Pre-Game Ritual Involves Staring At Himself In The Mirror... Naked

David Beckham’s Diet Plays A Key Role In His Asthma Management

David Beckham’s Diet Plays A Key Role In His Asthma Management

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

David Beckham On Staying Fit, Style, And The Last Time He Cried

David Beckham On Staying Fit, Style, And The Last Time He Cried

"I've Just Signed For A Football Team": Usain Bolt Teases New Career

"I've Just Signed For A Football Team": Usain Bolt Teases New Career

  1. Home
  2. Sport

Football Legend Ronaldo Drops His World Cup Picks

Speaking exclusively to MH, Ronaldo also shares his tips on handling pressure - by Dan Williams
  • 05 Jun 2018
Football Legend Ronaldo Drops His World Cup Picks
Getty Images

In a stellar career, Ronaldo dazzled with his speed, feints and clinical nishing, skills he harnessed to score more than 60 goals for Brazil and 247 for senior clubs until his retirement in 2011. He scored 83 of those club goals for Real Madrid, anointed by FIFA as the best club of the 20th Century. Men’s Health caught up with Ronaldo in Melbourne, first stop for the Real Madrid World of Football Experience, beginning June 9.

MH: What is so special about Real Madrid?

R: All the great players who've passed through. All the titles. And the most fans in the world. I think this makes Real Madrid deserving of being called club of the century.

Whats the can't miss element of Real Madrid World of Football Experience?

For sure it's going to be a great opportunity for Australian fans to feel close to the club. Top might be that they're going to feel like they're inside the Santiago Benabéu Stadium.

Given your experience in 1998 and 2002, you know what it's like to carry the hopes of a nation into a World Cup. What specific things did you do to handle the pressure?

You have to focus on what you're doing and not what you might be feeling. What are your priorities? And, very simple, you have to do things one at a time. For sure, I knew about the pressure. But the pressure comes because you're capable of playing to a certain standard. Make sure you are in the best physical condition to play to that standard. And there is another way to look at the pressure: when things go well, the pressure becomes compliments.

Brazil were champions in 2002. What are the qualities a team needs to win a World Cup?

Many, many things you have to put together. But first of all you have to play as a team. You have to trust your teammates. For sure the individuals have to have the skills and the quality. But if your team is not unified you cannot win.

You were among the Galacticos at Real Madrid. How did a team with so many stars - and presumably healthy egos - devolop the kind of unity and spirit you're talking about?

When you get to Real Madrid you learn how big the club is and that you must play for the club. So, for sure, to put the best players together is not easy. But history says Real Madrid wasn't just home for the best players. Real Madrid knows how to win.

Who's going to win the World Cup in Russia?

Brazil is very strong, with amazing players - Gabriel Jesus, [Philippe] Coutinho, Neymar - and the younger players will come through. I think we're strong enough to win but it's always difficult to predict these things. I hope Brazil can win.

  • News
  • Sport
Dan Williams
Dan Williams
Dan Williams, Men’s Health’s Associate Editor, is the magazine’s most experienced presence. While his body protests more than it used to, he still insists it honour the MH way, with regular dawn workouts mingled with punishing sessions on the tennis court – all against a backdrop of abstemiousness: he turns into a pumpkin at 10pm.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Cristiano Ronaldo Hit With A Suspended Prison Sentence

Cristiano Ronaldo Hit With A Suspended Prison Sentence

Adidas Calls In The Big Guns Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup

Adidas Calls In The Big Guns Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup

You're More Likely To Pick Up During The World Cup

You're More Likely To Pick Up During The World Cup

Mexican World Cup Fans Cheer So Hard, They Actually Caused An Earthquake

Mexican World Cup Fans Cheer So Hard, They Actually Caused An Earthquake

{headline}

{headline}

The Top 5 Major Sporting Events Still To Come In 2018

The Top 5 Major Sporting Events Still To Come In 2018

The Internet Is In Love With This Fifa World Cup Tournament Ambassador

The Internet Is In Love With This Fifa World Cup Tournament Ambassador

The Secret Behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Rig

The Secret Behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Rig

{headline}

{headline}

Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Had To Overhaul His Diet To Become The GOAT

Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Had To Overhaul His Diet To Become The GOAT

Tim Cahill: “The Best Piece Of Advice My Dad Gave Me? 'You Can't Live In A Car'."

Tim Cahill: “The Best Piece Of Advice My Dad Gave Me? 'You Can't Live In A Car'."

Ronaldo's Pre-Game Ritual Involves Staring At Himself In The Mirror... Naked

Ronaldo's Pre-Game Ritual Involves Staring At Himself In The Mirror... Naked

David Beckham’s Diet Plays A Key Role In His Asthma Management

David Beckham’s Diet Plays A Key Role In His Asthma Management

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

How AFL Star Josh Gibson Is Staying Fit After Footy

David Beckham On Staying Fit, Style, And The Last Time He Cried

David Beckham On Staying Fit, Style, And The Last Time He Cried

"I've Just Signed For A Football Team": Usain Bolt Teases New Career

"I've Just Signed For A Football Team": Usain Bolt Teases New Career

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now