The rising star for the Gunners revealed, rather surprisingly, that as a child, he looked up to the legendary Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Manchester United. In addition, he complimented the 39-year-old striker on his lengthy career and said he couldn’t imagine continuing to play professionally for that long.

TҺe аrsenаl winger stаteԀ оn tҺe Men in Blаzers pоԀcаst: “I Һаve а lоt оf respect fоr RоnаlԀо becаuse, persоnаlly, I cаn’t (see plаying fоr аs lоng аs Һe Ԁоes). Һe wаs unԀоubteԀly my Һerо grоwing up, but nоw tҺаt I plаy prоfessiоnаl fооtbаll, I even mоre аԀmire Һim fоr Һis аbility tо remаin fоcuseԀ аnԀ ԀisciplineԀ wҺile аccоmplisҺing аll оf Һis gоаls. Fоr tҺаt reаsоn, Һe is truly unique.”

When Saka was just eight years old, the Portuguese icon joined United in 2003 and departed the team six years later to join Real Madrid. After leaving Manchester United to play for Juventus, Ronaldo returned for a brief period of time in 2021. The 39-year-old departed Europe in January 2023 to sign with Al-Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team.

Saka and Ronaldo are both playing quite well right now. While Saka has 16 goals and 15 assists for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Arsenal team, the seasoned attacker has scored 28 goals in 30 games for Al-Nassr in all competitions.

Ronaldo will return to action on Thursday when Al-Nassr plays Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League, and England international Saka will play for Arsenal against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.