Upon his induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame, Ashley Cole named Cristiano Ronaldo as the most formidable adversary he encountered throughout his career.
The Premier League disclosed on Monday that Ashley Cole, the esteemed former defender for Arsenal and Chelsea, has been honored as the first entrant into the Hall of Fame for 2024.
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Cole, in reflecting on his illustrious career, singled out the legendary Portuguese forward Ronaldo as the most challenging competitor he’s faced.
He praised the Al-Nassr forward for his comprehensive skillset and recounted Ronaldo’s rapid adaptation to the Premier League’s rigorous demands after his transfer from Sporting CP.
Cole admitted that facing Ronaldo on the field was an intensely challenging experience that often left him unsettled.
Speaking about Ronaldo, Cole said, “Over the years, Cristiano Ronaldo and I had some mighty battles and we have a mutual respect for each other.
“He came to the Premier League as a little bit of an unknown, but he soon understood what it took to be a top player. He was willing to learn and adapt. He wanted to be the best player in the world and became a machine.
“He had everything. He could dribble, he could sprint behind, he could leap and jump and head a ball, he could go inside, he could go outside. So I say he always gave me nightmares, but you try to work each other out and we got the best of each other at times.
“Whenever I hear his name or see his face, I always think of when he made me do the splits! [in 2003/04, Ronaldo’s first Premier League season]”
The 39-year-old has joined the Portugal team after sitting out for the Sweden game last week. He will next play against Slovenia in an international friendly on Tuesday.
