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Every sports fan has a role model whom they look up to while growing up. For Chelsea‘s talented player Nicolas Jackson, that idol happens to be the renowned Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has served as an inspiration for countless young individuals, including Jackson, who faced his fair share of challenges merely to witness his idol in action.

Just last summer, Nicolas Jackson secured a contract with Chelsea after immense dedication and perseverance. However, growing up in Senegal was not without its difficulties for the 22-year-old athlete. He had to overcome numerous financial obstacles on his journey before finally achieving a professional contract.

Nicolas Jackson reveals his childhood struggles

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In a recent interview, Jackson opened up about his life story, revealing the financial struggles he had to endure. He shared that he played barefoot until the age of 16, highlighting the lack of resources and opportunities he faced while growing up. Despite these challenges, Jackson’s admiration for Ronaldo never wavered.

via Reuters

“When I was growing up, I loved Cristiano Ronaldo,” Jackson reminisced. “I had his name on a shirt that I always wore.” He further revealed, “Not an actual shirt because they are expensive, so you don’t buy them. But I had a shirt that I put 7, Ronaldo on with a pen. I did it myself when I was a kid.” It is evident from these words that Jackson’s love for Ronaldo was unwavering, even in the face of financial constraints.

Jackson further revealed that although he idolized Ronaldo, it was difficult for him to watch his idol’s matches. The reason is the affordability factor. “It was difficult to watch his games because you needed to pay,” Jackson explained. “We would go to my friend’s house, everybody. We would watch in a large group, never just with one person in the house.”

These words shed light on the extent to which Jackson went to catch glimpses of Ronaldo’s performances. Such narratives serve as just one example of the profound impact Ronaldo has had on millions of individuals through his gameplay. Another soccer sensation who has been influenced by him is Erling Haaland.

Erling Haaland talks about Cristiano Ronaldo

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Erling Haaland has established himself as a prolific goal scorer during his time at Manchester City. However, even the most talented players draw inspiration from others, and for Haaland, that inspiration came from Cristiano Ronaldo.

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In a recent interview, the Norwegian striker spoke highly of Ronaldo, stating, “I remember always watching Cristiano Ronaldo. His movements… He was my main inspiration.” The fact that today’s young soccer players hold such high praise for Ronaldo highlights the significant impact he had on aspiring football fans.

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