Ryan Giggs, in the latest episode of the “Rio Meets” program alongside his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, spoke about various topics, including playing with Ronaldo.

The most decorated player in Premier League history was generous in praising Ronaldo but pointed out that the young winger initially struggled with the physicality and intensity of English football. Giggs recalled an incident in training where Sir Alex Ferguson reprimanded him for a strong challenge on Ronaldo, leading him to label Ronaldo as a “special player.”

However, it seems the legendary manager wasn’t always so protective. Perhaps to further integrate the talented winger, Ferguson would not call fouls in training if Ronaldo held onto the ball too long. Eventually, Ronaldo adapted, transforming from a flashy winger into the consistent goal-scoring machine we’ve witnessed over the past 20 years.

Giggs described Ronaldo as the best player he has ever played with, and when Ferdinand asked him to rank Ronaldo’s impact above Eric Cantona’s inspirational efforts, he agreed.

The former United star said about Ronaldo: “He’s the best. I remember in a winter game, I ran and tackled Cristiano, and the manager went mad. I said: ‘Boss, it was just a tackle.’ And he said: ‘I know, but be careful. He’s a special player.’ The first year was tough for him, but the more I think about it—and you saw it too—the more in training, when he held onto the ball too much, he got hit. The manager wouldn’t call a foul.”

When asked if the manager explicitly instructed senior players to make it harder for Ronaldo, Giggs replied: “I don’t think he needed to say it. I think we did it ourselves.”