Former Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal has opened up about Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible mentality in front of goal, recalling how the Portuguese forward motivated him to deliver crosses during some of the club’s biggest Champions League encounters.

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Carvajal, who now represents Getafe, looked back on his years playing alongside Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu and praised the striker’s remarkable confidence and goalscoring instincts.

Speaking in an interview with AS, the Spanish defender revealed that Ronaldo would regularly encourage him to send crosses into the penalty area, insisting that he would always be available to finish the opportunity.

“Look, when you get there, you put it anywhere, I’ll be right there,” Carvajal recalled Ronaldo telling him.

The former Madrid right-back explained that such confidence gave him the assurance to deliver the ball into dangerous areas, regardless of the opposition, because he trusted Ronaldo to find the right position and attack the cross.

Carvajal also described the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as “so imposing… a predator in the box,” highlighting his exceptional movement, awareness and ability to produce goals when his team needed them most.

The 34-year-old also backed Ronaldo to achieve the extraordinary milestone of 1,000 career goals. According to Carvajal, the Al-Nassr forward deserves to reach the landmark because of the dedication and discipline he has demonstrated throughout his career.

“That guy is going to reach 1,000 goals, for sure. And he deserves it. He is the embodiment of discipline, of perseverance,” Carvajal said.

He further encouraged supporters to remember Ronaldo for the outstanding football he produced during his peak years at Real Madrid rather than allowing his performances towards the later stages of his career to define his legacy.

“People tend to remember him from his last years. Anyone who hasn’t seen Cristiano here at Real Madrid, especially… he was incredible,” he added.

Carvajal made 451 appearances for Real Madrid and won six Champions League trophies during his time at the club. Four of those European successes came alongside Ronaldo, with the pair lifting the trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Ronaldo arrived at the Bernabeu from Manchester United in 2009 and spent nine years in the Spanish capital before joining Juventus in 2018. His remarkable scoring record established him as one of the most prolific players in Real Madrid’s history.

Carvajal, meanwhile, recently moved to Getafe as a free agent after his Real Madrid contract expired, signing a deal that runs until the end of the current season.