Cristiano Ronaldo learned famous free-kick technique by facing Edwin van der Sar in Manchester United training
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MANCHESTER UNITED legend Edwin van der Saar has revealed how he helped Cristiano Ronaldo master free-kicks.
The Dutch stopper won two Premier League titles and the Champions League in four years as Ronaldo's team-mate.
And he helped the four-time Ballon d'Or winner hone his skills by spending hours between the sticks after training.
Van der Sar, 46, told the November issue of FourFourTwo, 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.
"After training sessions he would often work on his free-kicks and then come to me and say: 'Edwin, can you go in goal?'
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"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.
"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!'"
Ronaldo has a bit of a reputation for being a diva but Van der Sar added: "Cristiano is a good guy. And the common perception of him is not a true reflection of his personality."
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