Cristiano Ronaldo admits that Sir Alex Ferguson let him time off to visit his ill father at home.

Cristiano Ronaldo was given time off by Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson to see his ill father.

During a discussion with the Red Devils’ YouTube page, the Portuguese superstar narrated the moving story.
In 2003, Ferguson recruited the Portuguese ace from Sporting Lisbon to United.

The 36-year-old went on to become one of the finest players in the world during the next six years.

During their tenure at Old Trafford, Ronaldo and Fergie formed a particular friendship.
And Ronnie recalled an incident that solidified their bond even further.

“Probably he doesn’t remember,” Ronaldo remarked, “but I’ll say it because it’s a great story.”

“One day, my father was in the hospital, and I was distraught and depressed.

“And when I spoke with him, he told me, ‘Cristiano, go there for two or three days.’

“We had several tough games, and I was an important player at the time.”

“‘It will be difficult because we have difficult games, but I understand your circumstances, so I’ll leave you [out] and you can see your father,’ he added.

“Apart from winning Champions Leagues, the Premier League, cups, and other things, these are the most significant things to me.”

“So I have to respect him because he always did what he told to me.” That’s something I have to respect.”

Jose Dinis Aveiro, Ronaldo’s father, died of liver disease in 2005 at the age of 52.

He missed the majority of his son’s historic accomplishments, and Ronnie once admitted, “I actually don’t know my father 100%.” He was also referred to be a “drunk person” by the United legend.

Fergie sat next to Ronaldo as he recounted the story and explained what made him so sympathetic.

‘I KNEW HIS FATHER WAS ILL,’ says the narrator.

“I gained that from my experience as a young manager,” the Scot explained.

I was 33 years old when a young boy entered my office. ‘Boss, can I have Friday off?’ he asked on a Tuesday.

“‘Why do you want Friday off?’ I asked. ‘My mum has passed away,’ he said.
“You’ve been beaten. “What are your options?” ‘Of sure, son,’ I said.

“After that, if a player approached me and said, ‘I want tomorrow off,’ I’d answer, ‘Yes, can I help you?’

“In Cristiano’s situation, I knew his father was sick and that he was in the hospital. It was critical for him to be present.

“It didn’t matter about the football club, and certain things are bigger than the football club.”

“Family is without a doubt one of them. “Without a doubt.” Never put any kind of club in front of your family.”

Before joining Real Madrid for a then-world-record £80 million, Ronaldo scored 118 goals and created 76 assists in 293 United games.

And Sir Alex recently said that he played a key role in bringing Ronaldo back to the club this summer from Juventus.

The 79-year-old is said to have called the Portuguese legend personally in an attempt to persuade him to return to United after a 12-year absence.

Before his old employer intervened, Ronaldo was considering a move to Manchester City, United’s cross-town rivals.

As he considered a move, a slew of former teammates and executives are said to have made direct appeals to the forward.

But it appears that Fergie’s message to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the deciding factor in his return to United.