Manchester United defender Luke Shaw shared his thoughts on the best players he has played with during his career. The English defender particularly highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo's high level of professionalism and Zlatan Ibrahimović's intense winning mentality.
Shaw says he has played alongside many great players in his career. But among them, Cristiano Ronaldo holds a special place. It is no coincidence that the Portuguese star has remained at the highest level for years; it is the result of discipline, hard work, and a serious attitude toward his profession.
"I've played with a lot of great players in my career. But at the very top, of course, is Cristiano. It's very easy to understand why he has stayed at the top for so many years. His professionalism, his preparation before and after training, his lifestyle — it was a real pleasure to see all of this up close," Shaw told the club's official website.
When it comes to Ronaldo, many remember his goals, records, and trophies. But the aspect Shaw focused on is different: Cristiano's work off the pitch. Pre-training preparation, recovery processes, diet, attention to physical condition, and the desire to improve every day are among the factors that turned him from a simple player into a superstar.
Luke Shaw also shared warm and touching thoughts about Zlatan Ibrahimović. He specifically acknowledged the Swedish striker's character, winning spirit, and demanding nature in training. Shaw noted that it is not easy to find the mentality Zlatan possessed in other players.
"I haven't met a player with this mentality yet. Many top players have a winning spirit, but in Zlatan, it was very high. He wanted to win even in simple training games. If you were on his team and lost, you would feel it immediately," the defender said.
Zlatan's character can sometimes seem harsh. But in big teams, such players change the atmosphere, force their teammates to work harder, and teach them to take every small game seriously. For Ibrahimović, even a small argument in training was a battleground for victory.
Shaw described Zlatan as aggressive and demanding, but at the same time, a necessary person for the team. According to him, even though the Swedish star was tough on the pitch, he had a great personality as a person, and his teammates respected him.
"He was very aggressive, but the team needs people like that. At the same time, he was a great person and everyone loved him," Shaw added.
These thoughts show once again that true greatness in football is not measured only by talent. Ronaldo's discipline and Zlatan's hunger for victory can be a great lesson for young players. Because reaching the top is difficult, but staying there for years is even harder.
It is clear from Luke Shaw's words that working with stars like Ronaldo and Zlatan at Manchester United gave him great experience. Such players influence the team not only with their game but also with their character, work culture, and attitude toward winning. In football, sometimes the biggest lessons are taught on the training pitch, not on the whiteboard.
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