Cristiano Ronaldo honed free-kicks with Edwin van der Sar

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar were team-mates for four seasons
The Portuguese star would insist on practising free-kicks against the keeper
Real Madrid star Ronaldo developed into one of the best takers in the world

Published: 03:08 EDT, 5 October 2017 | Updated: 06:06 EDT, 5 October 2017

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Dutch goalkeeping legend Edwin van der Sar has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick prowess owes a lot to his willingness to stay behind after training.

They were Manchester United team-mates between 2005 and 2009, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League together at Old Trafford.

While Van der Sar was in the twilight of his career, this was a formative time for Ronaldo as he went from teenage prodigy to one of the best footballers in the world.

Edwin van der Sar has revealed his part in helping Cristiano Ronaldo develop his free-kicks

Ronaldo developed into one of the world's finest players during his time at Manchester United

And, as the Dutchman reveals in the November issue of FourFourTwo magazine, he played a small but significant role in his progress.

'Off the field, Ronaldo was focusing on everything extensively, such as resting up properly and strengthening his body,' Van der Sar said.

'After training sessions he would often work on his free-kicks and then come to me and say: 'Edwin, can you go in goal?'

'I'd say I was old so he would be better off using one of the youth team keepers, but he would insist I went in goal as he wanted to score past me.

Ronaldo unleashes one of his ferociously-struck free-kicks during his time at Man United

The Portuguese spent hours on the training ground honing his free-kick technique

Ronaldo in action for Real Madrid in their most recent La Liga fixture against Espanyol

'I would tease him a lot and say things like: 'You won't score against me, Ronnie, you know it. Ask the reserve goalie, that's better for your confidence.'

'He'd get agitated and reply: "No, no. You've got to go in goal!"'

Practice clearly made perfect with Ronaldo, now a Real Madrid player, one of the best free-kick takers in the game.

Van der Sar has enjoyed his rise to one of the world's best and added: 'Cristiano is a good guy. And the common perception of him is not a true reflection of his personality.'