Noni Madueke has revealed that Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo was the biggest influence on him growing up, praising the former Manchester United star for the fearless style that defined his early career.
Speaking about the players he admired most as a youngster, the England international said Ronaldo stood above the rest, particularly during his first spell in the Premier League.
“The main one has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United Ronaldo was just different,” Madueke said. “The way he played with no fear, no handbrake… he just went to kill whoever was in front of him.”
Madueke highlighted how Ronaldo’s evolution from a dazzling winger to a prolific goalscorer also shaped his admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Later on in his career, he started banging in goals for fun as well,” he added, describing the Portuguese star as the first global football icon he truly noticed while growing up.
The winger explained that Ronaldo’s creativity and attacking instincts left a lasting impression on his own style of play.
“He was the first superstar I saw in the game. I just felt like I wanted to be like him. He was a pioneer of so many new moves,” Madueke said, referencing the step-overs, flicks and skills that made Ronaldo one of the most electrifying players of his generation.
Madueke also emphasised the balance Ronaldo achieved between flair and productivity. “It’s easy to possess all the skill without the goals, but he had everything, and it came so naturally to him,” he said.
Ronaldo rose to global prominence during his time at Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League before later becoming Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer and one of the most decorated players in football history.