Posted by Ruben Vinagre, a defender for Hull City, has said that Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Portugal, made it easier for Portuguese players to break into the English game.
Vinagre made this statement while praising Ronaldo’s influence on the Premier League as a major factor in his own success.
The now 24-year-old was just four years old when, in 2003, Ronaldo made the decision to leave Sporting CP for Manchester United.
“After seeing Ronaldo play for Manchester (United), I always wanted to play soccer in England. “When Wolves offered me a chance to go there and prove myself, I jumped at the chance,”Vinagre stated (via The Yorkshire Post).
Ronaldo paved the way for Portuguese players to succeed in English football. There are currently a large number of Portuguese players in the English Premier League and the English Championship.
During his six years with Manchester United, Ronaldo established himself as a top player in the Premier League.
He won nine major championships with Manchester United and scored 118 goals in 292 games.
The 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or were also awarded to the Al-Nassr captain.