The Heartwarming Reason Why Ronaldo Considers Sir Alex Ferguson His Father in Football  We all have witnessed great moments of respect and love between Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo.  One such touching moment was captured when Portugal won the Euro 2016 final against France. The former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson waited in the crowd as the players walked down the steps and he hugged Nani and then Ronaldo like a proud father. What a beautiful moment that was.   And because of such incredible support from Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo always says, “Sir Alex is like a father to me in football.”  

But do you guys know how this relationship started?  It was 2003 when Arsenal almost signed a wonderkid who we all now know as the great Cristiano Ronaldo. An £8 million fee was agreed and the player and his mother, Dolores, flew to London where they were introduced to Thierry Henry and other Arsenal stars. Wenger spoke to Ronaldo in his office and even promised him the shirt number he wanted at Arsenal: 28.   

The reason Ronaldo to Arsenal never got over the line was in large part due to Sir Alex Ferguson, who told Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes that United was the perfect club for him to progress. "We will look after him," Fergie apparently assured them, pointing to his track record of bringing through the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes.   

And you know what, Ronaldo asked Sir Alex for the Number 28 Jersey as well, but the Scottish manager gave him the esteemed Number 7 shirt.  A number that is so sacred that it was only used by great players. And as we all know, the rest is history. Ronaldo became one of the greatest footballers on the planet under the guidance of Sir Alex.