- Cristiano Ronaldo says a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson forced him to start wearing number 7 - The Portuguse is now known as CR7 but it could have been different if not for Ferguson - "Look, I would like you to wear No. 7," Sir Alex Ferguson told a then 20 year old Ronaldo Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed how the decision to start wearing number 7 on his jersey came about. Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) wears the number 7 The 32-year-old said it came as a surprise when Sir Alex Ferguson told him to pick the iconic number worn at the club by legends like George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. READ ALSO: CRUEL! Chelsea star dumps pregnant girlfriend just months before she is due to deliver Speaking at a promotional event, Real Madrid star Ronaldo said he had initially been set to wear No. 28 but Ferguson told him: "Look, I would like you to wear No. 7." He added: "I was surprised because I knew of all the great players who had worn that jersey." Ronaldo with his FIFA Footballer of the year award The Portugal captain added that his time at Old Trafford was a "dream" come true for him. READ ALSO: Former Man United boss David Moyes threatens to SLAP female reporter, what happened next will give you the chills "It was the start of my successful stage in football," he added. "I did not only improve my football skills, but also my physique. "In my five years there, I learned the art of football. We won many things together. It was a dream for me." Ronaldo was just 18 when he arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 but after six years won three Premier League titles and the Champions League. He also received his first Ballon d'Or trophy as a United player before making a €94 million move to Madrid in 2009.