When Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Manchester United, Diogo Dalot’s smile was quickly noticeable.
The Portuguese defender looked like he was living the dream being alongside his international colleague at club level, and he spoke about this in late October.
Dalot told the club website: “It’s another level. Something we can’t describe with words, just to enjoy while we still can and he’s still playing. And I’m very happy that he’s here now.”
Since then Dalot has gone on to establish himself as Manchester United’s first choice right-back, playing a key role in recent months.
Dalot was the first teammate over to embrace Ronaldo after his goal to break the deadlock against Brighton this week, and he is relishing being around him.
Dalot and Ronaldo close
In a Q&A with United’s club website this week, Dalot explained he has grown close to Ronaldo off the pitch and the pair have a pre-match routine each week.
Dalot said: “Before the games, when we’re at the hotel, I always drink my coffee with Cristiano. It’s been a routine now.
“He actually dragged me into the coffee because I was not a big fan of coffee but now I’ve started doing that. Just to talk a little bit. Sometimes we have too much time in the hotel, so we get out of the room, just to talk a little bit and try to focus on the game.”
With it unclear how long Ronaldo will be at United, Dalot wants to make the most of having him around, to learn from him and how he prepares for matches.
One of the keys to Ronaldo’s success is his longevity and how he looks after his body between games, and his work ethic is famed as the key to this.
If Dalot can pick up some tips from Ronaldo in this one or two season stretch from the star’s Old Trafford return, in terms of how he applies himself, it could have a galvanising effect on the rest of his career.
It would be good to hear of a few more United players spending more time closely with Ronaldo off the pitch and showing the same positive inquisition Dalot is taking.
It is natural the two Portuguese stars would be close, and having once watched and cheered for and against Ronaldo in the stands, the pair’s friendship is an illustration of Ronaldo’s long career.
In an interview last year, Dalot explained: “The first time I saw him was in Porto when he scored that goal from almost 100 yards.
“I was in the stands behind the goal and obviously I wasn’t too happy because I was supporting Porto [smiles], but it was my first memory seeing him live. I tried to reach him when I was a kid and he was in the national team but my first memory is that game. Afterwards it’s watching him on the internet and videos like everybody else.”
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