Cristiano Ronaldo backed Oscarine Masuluke at the FIFA awards, and the Baroka FC goalkeeper has now revealed how it felt to be praised by the Real Madrid superstar.
Read: What Ronaldo Said About Masuluke Stunner
The 24-year-old travelled to FIFA's award gala last month, but failed to become the first African winner of the famous Puskas Award, being beaten by Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.
Before the official announcement, though, Ronaldo had some words of praise for the South African's bicycle kick:
"I like Olivier Giroud's goal, but I have to give credit to the goalkeeper," the Portuguese said at the time.
Masuluke, who still finished higher than any other African nominee has before, told Soccer Laduma's Lerato Mkhondo in an exclusive interview how he felt when hearing what Ronaldo had to say about his goal.
"That was truly humbling. You know, what Ronaldo said made me believe that I can do it if I want to," he said
"Like if I tell myself that I want to score a goal like that, I can and I will. It's all about faith. I'm really humbled by Ronaldo's words."
Masuluke also insisted he will stay grounded, despite representing South Africa at the FIFA awards gala and meeting some of football's biggest stars.
"Obviously, some would expect that I'd change. I was Oscarine Masuluke before the Puskas and I am still the same person I was before the nomination," he explained.
"Just because I was in the same room with Ronaldo and Messi doesn't mean I should change.
"Yes, it was an incredibly life-changing experience (because now) people know Oscarine Masuluke, but that doesn't mean I should change.
"I just want to go back to training and focus on improving myself. Like I said, the most important thing now is reclaiming my position.
"Nothing has changed. I'm still me and I'm still going to be me."
You can read the whole interview, in which Masuluke talks about his trip to London, reveals a humbling meeting with a young boy and whether or not he got to chat to the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, in this week's edition of Soccer Laduma, issue 1047.
