Athletes Mindset: 5 Traits That Make Cristiano Ronaldo Have An Elite Mindset

The Beginnings Of A legend

In 1997 aged 12. Cristiano Ronaldo joined the famous academy of Sporting CP. Who had developed Portuguese great and former Ballon d’Or winner (Worlds best player) Luis Figo.

The foundations was set to build upon.

Nobody knows who’s going to make it in football. Undoubtedly there are many academy players with a clear technical talent for the game. But what people forget when it comes to football players. Is that their mindset is that sets them apart from everyone else.

Cristiano was no different.

From a young age, he showed the hunger to succeed. A former coach describes how upset Cristiano got when his team lost when playing at u9s. The winning hunger was there for all to see along with his undoubted talent.

With any great person, there is always someone behind the man or women that forges the mindset of an individual. For Cristiano, it was his mother. Who taught him through the example of what mindset and habits it takes to succeed at something.

Forging Cristiano Ronaldo Elite Mindset

At the age of 18, he signed for Manchester United. He was guided by the father figure Sir Alex Ferguson where he becomes a man and world best player.

At 24 he joined the historic Real Madrid. Where he performed at the peak of his ability. To become an all-time great in football history. Winning the champions league 3 times in a row and adding 4 more Ballon d’Or.

He single handily dragged his country to win their first international trophy.

Now at Juventus aged 36, his body is as fit as any 21 years old and his mind is still the winner he was in his prime. Breaking record after record.

Why is Cristiano one of the all-time greats of football and sport?

I believe it has everything to do with his mindset and that is the very fire and foundation to his success.

Watching Cristiano Ronaldo from a young age. I have grown up with amazing memories of his brilliance as a professional athlete. When compared with Messi. I always picked Cristiano as the better player because of what he had to do to become to be the best player in the world.

From watching, studying and researching what has made Cristiano the ultimate mindset machine. Below are compiled a list of mindset strategies you can apply in your sporting careers and life.

5 Traits That Make Cristiano Ronaldo Have An Elite Mindset

1. An Elite Mindset To Put In The Extra Work

When anyone describes Cristiano Ronaldo. Time and time again the mention of his intent to put in the work that others aren’t willing to do. Speaks volumes of the elite mindset he has compared to others. His teammate at Manchester United Roy Keane spoke of his work ethic saying “He was amazing. He was immediately one of the hardest-working players at United.

He prides himself on this aspect and he puts in the work behind the scenes that allow him to be at the top of his game.

Deliberate practice best describes Cristiano action towards his craft. Most people will go through life doing the minimum, doing what others tell them to do to fit in. An elite mindset is anything but this. It’s going the 10 years of silence behind the scenes putting in the work that no one sees that defines who you will become.

This can be said for any top-level professional. The same goes for football too. Everyone playing with Cristiano would have had to go through the 10 years of silence and put in the extra work that allowed them to beat off all the competition around them to become a professional footballer.

But there is a difference between being good and being elite. That difference comes from the mind. The Elite mindset demands more and pushes the body to new levels. It’s not just practice, it’s practice with purpose.

2. An Elite Mindset To Make Personal Sacrifices

To have an Elite Mindset you’re going to have to give up something in return. It could be family, time, your energy or all three. An elite mindset is formed through personal sacrifice. Cristiano formed his elite mindset by leaving his home at 12 years of age. At 18 going to a different country where he could not speak the language to further develop himself amongst the best. He sacrificed his time to not go out partying like everyone else which allowed his elite mindset to stay it’s course.

Personal sacrifice is an inevitable compromise that many aren’t willing to go through. You will see it in your life, maybe in yourself of the things that you can and can’t give up. That’s ok. This is normal. But no one can complain of not becoming the person they want to be without personally sacrificing some aspect to get what you want.

Overall it’s focussing the mind on the long term. The discipline to make the hard decisions now to lead an easier life for the future.

3. An Elite Mindset Of Believing He’s The Best

What elite mindset people have is a confidence that borderlines arrogance. An unwavering ability to believe they’re the best at what they do. Confidence to believe they will become in Cristiano case the best player in the world. Backed up with effort behind the scenes. It’s a scary combination that has seen greats like Serena Williams become the most dominant female tennis player of all time.

The aspect of an elite mindset is special. It’s kind of robotic but it’s purposeful. We all know that when we are confident we can achieve amazing things. What gets in the way is the ever-changing feelings we feel on a day to day basis.

The very reason why only a few have this confidence of believing they’re the best. Comes from not relying on waiting for how you feel.

If your life is based on your feelings, you’re going to live a very up and down life of inconsistency. But if you can affirm every day in everything you’re the best, followed by a strategy and habits that back up your statement. You become in control of your destiny. That’s the major difference with an elite mindset is that they control how they feel daily and block out the internal noise of their mind and the outside noise of others.

4. An Elite Mindset To Have The Desire To Be Great

Cristiano elite mindset is the desire to be the best the world has ever seen. Everyone needs an internal desire that gives them the energy to do what is needed to achieve their goal. What people don’t see is all the painstaking hours of pain, problem solving and failures that come your way when achieving any form of success. Having a clear mindset of what you want to achieve is the very foundation of an elite mindset.

The desire to be the best in the world has allowed Cristiano to create and follow strategies that have allowed him to become that very person. The world best footballer on 4 separate occasions. Having that desire to be great. Creates an elite mindset. It makes you work harder than anyone around you and makes you ask yourself the question what do I have to do to be great. Which opens up the doors of what’s needed to be this person. It comes down to what everyone else is not willing to do that you should go for.

5. An Elite Mindset To Study The Best

An elite mindset comes from knowing that you can always get better. It never stops and studying the best is paramount to your success and longevity. Cristiano himself has been teammates with some of the best players on the planet but he also studies athletes from other sports too that offer him valuable insight into what they do to achieve success.

No one becomes the best overnight. It’s a learned skill. You definitely can’t do it alone. Having an elite mindset allows you to be humble enough to allow your mind to understand that there is always something to learn.

A Final Word From The Future Mindset 

I hope you enjoyed today’s article, 5 traits that make Cristiano Ronaldo have an elite mindset.

To develop your very own elite mindset to achieve your own greatness develop the 5 traits I have gone over above. If it’s good enough for Cristiano Ronaldo, I’m sure it can be good enough for you too if you want to be elite.

If you’re struggling with dealing with mastering your own mindset. Don’t worry you’re not alone. Millions of people go through the same experience every day. I hope the article has helped in some way. If you need extra help or any questions answered. Don’t hesitate to contact me at adam@thefuturemindset.com