Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the three stars he looked up to when he was younger.
Click through the mini-gallery to view Ronaldo's three favourites
The Portuguese has been declared fit for the return leg of his team's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively to UEFA ahead of the encounter, he was asked about his footballing idols when he rose through the youth ranks at Sporting Lisbon.
"To be honest, I never looked at any player and wanted to be like them; some great players who have passed through Sporting, but I was always thinking further ahead," he said.
"I was already thinking about the national team. I felt that playing for a big club was difficult, but I was going to be able to do it, but playing for the national team is always more difficult.
"And then things happened very quickly. I signed for Manchester United, and after some time I was in the national team.
"My big reference points were Fernando Couto, Rui Costa and Luis Figo, because they were the biggest names in Portuguese football."
Ronaldo has scored 47 goals in 44 games in all competitions this season, with 16 of them coming in the Champions League, in which he is still chasing his own record of 17 strikes.
Read: Top 10 Goalscorers In Europe Update
Real will be hoping the 31-year-old will be at his best on his return to the team – he has missed their past three matches due to a minor injury – as they bid to reach the final.
Do you think Ronaldo can be the difference for Real, even if he is not 100% fit? Have your say in the comments section below.
