Which Teammate Was Cristiano Ronaldo's Biggest Inspiration? You Guessed It: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo says he's always been focused on being the best version of himself.

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Complex Original

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All right, all right, all right. Channeling his inner Matthew McConaughey, Cristiano Ronaldo says his biggest inspiration is...you guessed it: himself.

Ronaldo's foundation is an impenetrable belief in self, a supreme self-confidence and, yes, self-obsession that he has expressed numerous times in interviews throughout his career. The GQ cover story from January of this year is one example that immediately comes to mind.

In Ronaldo's latest display of gargantuan self-belief, the Real Madrid star chatted with COACH magazine and answered their "who inspires you" questions with, well, exactly the answers you would expect.

"COACH: Who was the biggest influence on your career?

Ronaldo: I was.

COACH: Which team-mate, either at club or international level, has been the biggest inspiration?

Ronaldo: My biggest inspiration has always been myself; nobody puts bigger demands on me than me. I said I admired Figo and Rui Costa, but I never wanted to emulate anybody—I have just always focused on being the best me I can."

The transcendent athlete also took a moment to address and thank someone other than himself: the haterz.

"COACH: What’s the most important lesson football taught you?

Ronaldo: To use negative people and experiences to motivate you. I actually need my haters—they have helped me achieve all I have achieved."

Ronaldo loves himself (and there is nothing wrong with that), but he seems to have an obliviously narrow perspective on life. Regardless, no one will argue that his temperament has not worked to his advantage.

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