SEVEN RONDER OF THE WORLD CAN MAKE ME A SPECIAL NO.1
Pereira inspired by countryman Cristiano as he bids for big time
The task of displacing David De Gea as Manchester United keeper has to be one of the most daunting in world football.
Just to BELIEVE you can do it takes mental strength – as well as the obvious quality and hard graft.
But for Portuguese players like Joel Pereira, they don’t need to look far for that kind of inspiration.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 700th career goal in midweek.
And even for a keeper like Pereira, the Juventus star is the man every player idolises.
The 23-year-old, who is loan at Hearts from Manchester United, has grown up mesmerised by Ronaldo’s talents.
But what he loves most about the legendary forward is his determination, resilience and desire.
Both players arrived at Old Trafford as highly-rated kids with hopes of making the grade.
Ronaldo has exceeded every expectation that was on his shoulders when he made the move from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
If Pereira achieves a fraction of what his hero has managed, he’ll have enjoyed a successful career.
He’s still at the start of a journey he hopes will eventually lead to competing with De Gea for a jersey when he returns to his parent club.
But to get there, he knows he’s going to need the kind of self-belief and work ethic that has oozed from Ronaldo in the last 16 years.
He’s only met the great man twice.
But when asked about what Ronaldo means to any Portuguese player, Pereira says: “He is an image for every footballer.
“His records don’t just show how good he is but also how hard he’s worked. We should see Ronaldo as an example to follow.
“Not just kids, but every footballer, for what he’s achieved.
“He always wants more. That’s what footballers should look at. When you’ve had a good season, you shouldn’t stop and think you’ve made it.
“Ronaldo’s done it for between 15 and 20 years. Every season, he wants to do better and beat his own records.
“So we should look up to him. Even as a goalkeeper, I still see him as an example.
“It’s not because of the position he plays, it’s more about him as an athlete. It’s his professionalism and how he is as a person.
“As a Portuguese man, he’s a hero to all of us. I’ve grown up watching him and I got to meet him twice.
“The first was at Man United after a game, just for a photo. Then we met with the national team when the Under21 side travelled together with the first team.
“When he went to Manchester as a young player no one knew if he’d become a big star. But that’s when hard work actually works.
“He’s shown that a positive mentality, focus and hard work every day will make you get there.
“That’s what he did and from there, he’s just got better and better.
“This week he’s reached 700 goals, which is just phenomenal.
“If you look at his stats, you need to score 20 goals for 35 seasons to reach 700. It’s almost impossible.
“You’d need to start playing at 17 and finish at 52 years old! So the numbers speak for themselves. We all know how good he is.
“I’ll need that same mentality if I’m going to make it at Man U, definitely.
“I’m someone who also likes to work hard and it’s important to stay focused on what you want to achieve.
“Right now, my focus is on Hearts and tomorrow I want to do better than today.
“Hopefully I can grow from here. After a year, hopefully after a great season, it’ll then be time to think about going back to Manchester again.
“From there, we’ll see what happens. But for now, I want to give my best for Hearts and help the team.”
Pereira has, potentially, two years left on his United contract after his season-long loan spell at Tynecastle comes to and end.
De Gea has, meanwhile, recently signed a new £117million six-year contract at Old Trafford that ties him to the club until 2024.
United also have Argentine stopper Sergio Romero and young England keeper Dean Henderson ahead of Pereira.
It’s an unenviable challenge for any goalie.
But as long as he can produce consistent displays in the Scottish Premiership, he says he has to believe it’s achievable.
As he prepared for today’s live TV clash with Rangers, Pereira said: “After every game, someone from United calls me or sends me a text. They’re always in touch.
“They’ve been really happy with the games I’ve played and I’m happy here.
“I have an extra year and another option on onmy my contract at Manchester. So I have two years after this.
“Can I break in there? I will always dream I can get there. To be at a big club you need to have big hopes and a positive mentality.
“If you don’t think positively about yourself, you have zero chance of making it.
“I’ve always been someone who’s believed in my ability and hopefully I can be at Manchester United for many years.
“I have an amazing relationship with David and I was so pleased for him when signed his new contract. I wasn’t angry, I was more happy than anyone.
“We’re good friends and that’s what he wanted. As for me, I still have time. You never know what can happen in football.
“I will always wish that I make it at United. That’s my dream so I have to be positive about it.
“It will help if I do well in games, such as this one against Rangers, but also in the longer term at Hearts.
“Every week I have to show what I can do. Everyone’s excited about this game because Rangers are a big club and the atmosphere will be good.
“Their strikers are playing very well right now but hopefully I can stop them and keep a clean-sheet.
“It’s games like this I wanted to play in when I came on loan.”
Craig Levein’s side will need a big improvement from their last outing – a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle.
But Pereira said: “We needed to have words after that game. The experienced, older players had a chat with us.
“We know we need to do better because the results aren’t there. But I’m sure we’ll get through this period and it will improve for us soon.”