Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has explained how Cristiano Ronaldo is one of four football legends who impacted his approach to skills.
Cristiano Ronaldo has linked up with former Manchester United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 41-year-old United legend is set to represent Portugal at his record-tying sixth World Cup, with Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi matching his feat.
Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford for the second time in 2022, is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time alongside Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi.
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Kobbie Mainoo says Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on him is mirrored by Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Neymar
Kobbie Mainoo, much like Cristiano Ronaldo, is heading to the World Cup this summer after the Manchester United star secured his place in the England squad.
The 21-year-old United youth academy product’s stunning run of form in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign earned his place back in the Three Lions set-up.
Speaking ahead of England’s 2026 World Cup campaign under Thomas Tuchel, Mainoo talked about the major influences on him while he was growing up.
Mainoo admitted that he would watch different skills-based players on YouTube, including Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Santos’ Neymar and Brazil legend Ronaldinho.
“And then I used to watch YouTube a lot like skills, you know, and stuff,” he told Manchester United’s official YouTube channel.
It was always Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Messi [and] Neymar — people like that, they were always what I found myself doing in my spare time.
“Just watching [and] searching skills videos [and] waiting for new ones to come out and then just follow all the players from there.”
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Kobbie Mainoo explains exactly what he did after watching the likes of Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo
Mainoo admitted that he wasted no time trying to copy the skills of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar with anyone that he could find around him.
“A lot because, like, I’d watch these things on YouTube and then there was a field right next to my house,” he added.
“So, then, say if I watched them the night before, I’d get my boots and my kit ready, lay it out at the bottom foot of my bed.
“And then as soon as I woke up, [I would] jump out of bed, go to the field and then just practice.
“Try and drag someone with me, anyone, just mithering my sister, my dad, anyone, just to try and do skills and stuff.”
Mainoo, who inked a new contract with Man Utd in April, made 30 appearances across all competitions and netted once and registered three assists last season.
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