Former Manchester United star Anderson has lifted the lid on his experience living with Cristiano Ronaldo after arriving at the club.
After impressing with Porto, Sir Alex Ferguson signed Anderson in 2007 making him just the second Brazilian player in United’s history in the process.
Joining the midfielder at Old Trafford was fellow Primera Liga import Nani, who joined from Sporting Lisbon on the same day in July of that year.
Immediately upon arrival Cristiano Ronaldo took the pair under his wing, letting them live at his house and taking the fledgling duo to training at Carrington with him.
Reflecting on his experience at United, Anderson described the experience of moving in with the club’s No 7.
Former Manchester United star Anderson revealed he lived with Cristiano Ronaldo after arriving at the club
The 35-year-old described spending ‘almost a year’ living with Ronaldo alongside Nani
‘As soon as I arrived, I went to Cristiano’s house.’ The former Brazil international told Globo Esporte.
‘I thank him very much. He adopted me. We lived at Ronaldo’s house for almost a year. We left because we wanted to leave. For him we could have stayed there.
‘We didn’t spend anything. The guy took us to training, fed us, had a cook for us. There was a swimming pool inside and outside the house, a jacuzzi, and a tennis court.’
During his eight seasons in Manchester Anderson won a slew of honours, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League, but his involvement gradually decreased as the years progressed.
Prior to his departure in 2015, the midfielder had managed to record more than 20 Premier League appearances just once during his time at the club, doing so only in his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.
Anderson also reflected on how his career might have panned out if he had Ronaldo’s vaunted work ethic
Despite his various successes, a feeling surrounded the club that Anderson could have gone on to even greater heights, and the 35-year-old added his mentality prevented him from reaching his full potential as a player.
‘Training was at 9:30 am, but sometimes we had to go at 6:30 am, because Ronaldo was at the club and we went with him.’ Anderson continued.
‘Nani and I slept there on the stretchers and waited, because his work had to start.
‘If I had 5% of CR7’s mentality, I would be among the 20 best midfielders at that time. That Brazilian side of us bothered me… Thinking that we’ve already won everything and everything is resolved. Of not wanting something a little more.’
