Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his love for combat sports in a fascinating interview. The Juventus forward is renowned for his tiptop physique; one which has been shaped by activities like boxing.

The former Real Madrid superstar was the focus of a documentary from DAZN called ‘Parallel Worlds’ where he chats to boxer Gennady Golovkin.

“Playing football is my passion, but I prefer watching other sports on TV,” Ronaldo said during the documentary. “Between watching a football match or a boxing or UFC fight, I choose boxing or UFC.

“The best athletes are those that anticipate what is going to happen; that’s it’s like in a ring,” Golovkin added. “But it’s also the reason why, in matches, they clearly go after Cristiano, to take him out of the game.”

Ronaldo’s respect for combat sports, and boxing in particular, appears to have begun during his time at Old Trafford.

“When I was at Manchester United, a coach boxed with me,” Ronaldo continued. “I think practicing boxing is useful for football because it sharpens your senses and you learn to move.”

As part of the documentary, Ronaldo looked back over his development and how he became a professional footballer.

“I was born on the island of Madeira and, when I was 11, Sporting CP went to speak to my parents,” Ronaldo said. “They told them that they were interested in me, but that I’d have to leave to live in Lisbon.

“Leaving my family is the most difficult thing I’ve done in my life. My toughest moments were when I moved to Lisbon and when I lost my father.

“I think it’s good to have emotions. I don’t hide who I am. People say men don’t cry but, who said men don’t cry? We all have feelings and emotions and we have to express them.”

At the age of 35, Ronaldo is making a big effort to try to keep himself in top shape going into the latter stages of his career.

“Last summer, I had a chat with Anthony Joshua,” Ronaldo revealed. “At 33 you start to think your legs are going. I want to stay in sport, in football. People will look at me and say: ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.

“You can change a lot about your body, but the problem isn’t that. It’s depends on your mindset, your motivation and your experience, which I think is the most complex thing.

“In sport, you can gain maturity. Look at [Roger] Federer in tennis; he’s 37 or 38 years old and he’s still at his peak, and there are some in boxing too.”

Ronaldo also took a moment to reflect on his career as a whole.

“I made sacrifices to be the best in the world, but the most important thing for me is being a good person,” he said.