The Big Interview: Leeds youngster Rayaan Ronaldo's Cristiano Ronaldo advice en route to Sheffield United

In the latest of our big interview features, Lee Sobot catches up with talented eight-year-old footballer Rayaan Ronaldo, the exciting under-9s youngster from Leeds who has just signed for Sheffield United.

Hi Rayaan, firstly congratulations on signing for Sheffield United! What was that like for you and how did it all come about?

"Thank you! I was trying not to smile - but I couldn’t not smile!

"When they told me I’d signed for Sheffield United, I just looked at mum and said, 'this is the best day of my life!'

"I still think it is.

"The whole day was amazing. They walked me onto the stadium pitch, I signed my contract there and everyone made me feel really special. Afterwards we took loads of family photos and I didn’t want the day to end.

"I first went because my futsal coach, Connor, recommended me. From my very first session I loved it. The coaches were brilliant, I made lots of new friends and every time training finished I couldn’t wait to go back.

"People ask me why I chose Sheffield United. For me it was easy - every time I walked off the pitch, I was smiling."

Going right back to the start Rayaan, how old were you when you started playing football? Can you remember what first got you into playing? Were there any footballers you looked up to? And you certainly have the name of a footballer - is there a story behind that?

"I don’t really remember starting because football has always been there!

"Mum says I was about two years old when I started kicking a ball around.

"Apparently I used to take it absolutely everywhere.

"Shopping, the park, walking to school, even airports! I don’t really know how to walk anywhere without dribbling a football. Sometimes Mum would tell me, “just carry it!”

"And I’d still dribble it!

"Cristiano Ronaldo has always been my hero.

"I’ve watched loads of documentaries about him and I love how hard he works.

"People always ask if I was named after him. I wasn’t. But now I think it’s a pretty cool name!

"I always joke with Mum and say, “one day I’ll be the first England player with ‘Ronaldo’ on the back of my shirt!”

What position do you play then Rayaan? What are your best attributes and which players do you try to play like?

"Anywhere where I can get on the ball lots! I don’t really like standing still. I love dribbling. I love doing skills. I love trying to beat defenders. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.

"But I’ll always try again. Cristiano Ronaldo is still my favourite player because of how hard he works.

"I also love watching Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi because they all do different things and I try to learn little bits from all of them.

"My proudest football moment so far has definitely been signing for Sheffield United. That was the best football day of my life."

I guess everybody starts somewhere with a local club, so where did you start and how did the journey go from there?

"I just wanted to play football. That’s all.

"I wasn’t thinking about academies or contracts.

"I just wanted to play every day. When I was four I went to a local football session and without me knowing it, a Manchester United scout was watching.

"I just kept doing what I always did. Trying skills, running with the ball, having fun. Then Mum told me Manchester United wanted me to go training. I thought "Wow!”

From there you ended up training not just with Manchester United but also Manchester City and Liverpool so how did that all come about and what was it like?

"It was busy. But I absolutely loved it.

"Most days I’d finish school, jump in the car and head straight to training.

"Sometimes I’d eat my tea in the car.

"Sometimes I’d read one of my football books.

"When I read, it feels like I’m watching a movie in my head.

"Every club taught me something different.

"Carrington was amazing because that’s where Ronaldo trained.

"Manchester City’s facilities were unbelievable.

"Liverpool was brilliant too because I loved the coaching.

"I just felt really lucky to learn from so many brilliant people."

We hear that you have also trained with Cristiano Ronaldo’s son Mateo. What was that like? And did you meet Cristiano himself?

"Mateo was really nice.

"We were just two little boys playing football. That’s all it felt like. One time I scored and ran over doing his celebration.

"Then one day Cristiano came. I couldn’t believe it.

"After training he was sitting in his car when he gave me a thumbs up and shouted, “Well done!”

"I remember saying, “Look! I’ve got your shirt on!” Because I was wearing my Manchester United Ronaldo number 7 shirt.

"He smiled, gave me a high five and told me, 'keep working hard. Listen to your teachers. Listen to your coaches. Listen to your parents… and you’ll do great.'

"I’ve never forgotten those words.

"I’ve still got the picture on my bedroom wall.

"If I met him again today I’d ask him 'What kept you motivated every single day?”

But what about the Leeds United and Manchester United rivalry Rayaan?! Have you had any experiences with Leeds United and do you support a team?

"I’ve played against Leeds and they’re always good games. When I was younger I watched Manchester United because Ronaldo played there.

“Then Mum took me to Paris to watch PSG. Watching Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé all in the same team was unbelievable.

“That was one of the best days ever. I’ve loved PSG ever since. I even love learning French at school because… …you never know! Maybe one day I’ll need it!

"I was born in Bradford but I’ve grown up around Leeds because that’s where I go to school and spend most of my time. Yorkshire is home.

“I love Roundhay Park and my favourite restaurant is Lala's because they make the best chicken/cheese badali! I also like watching Josh Warrington because he’s from Leeds."

Speaking of famous people, we hear you have met quite a few! Tell us about that and about training in Dubai.

"Dubai was one of my favourite places.

"We found Football Escapes while we were on holiday and I got to train with Peter Crouch, Bobby Zamora and lots of brilliant coaches.

"Peter Crouch was so funny. One day he was doing an interview so I sneaked behind him and dropped ice down his back!

"Everyone laughed. I loved it because football was serious when it needed to be. But it was always fun too.

"Every school holiday I wanted to go back."

Even at eight years old you have a lot of Instagram followers, so when did that start and how does it feel to have so many people following your football?

"I don’t really think about followers that much!

"My mum runs my Instagram because I’m usually too busy playing football!

"She started putting little videos on just to keep all my football memories in one place for us to look back on. Then lots of people started watching them and it just kept growing.

"I like watching the videos back because I can see things I did well and things I want to practise at home.

"I’d much rather have a football than my phone though. If Mum said, “Instagram or football?” I’d choose football every single time."

Please can you tell us a little bit about your family Rayaan and how they have helped you on your journey?

"My family help me with everything.

"Mum takes me to training nearly all the time and my uncles help loads too.

"If they didn’t help me sometimes, I wouldn’t have been able to get to every training session.

"My brothers are my best friends.

"We play football together, laugh together and we’re always together.

"We’ve been through some difficult times as a family, but we’ve always stayed strong and looked after each other.

"When people ask me what makes me happiest, it’s actually just being with my family."

How often will you be training with Sheffield United then Rayaan and how do you manage school and football?

"School always comes first. Then football. Most days Mum picks me up from school and we go straight to training.

"Sometimes I eat in the car, sometimes I read. I actually love reading.

"When I read it feels like I’m watching a movie in my head.

"One of my favourite books is Marcus Rashford’s You Are A Champion.

"I even asked school if they could get more football books for the library and they actually did!"

Brilliant - so just lastly what are your long-term dreams and ambitions Rayaan?

"I dream about football all the time.

"Sometimes when I’m lying in bed I imagine walking out into a full stadium.

"Sometimes I imagine hearing the Champions League music.

"Sometimes I imagine scoring in a World Cup Final.

"Before every game I always think…“Watch me shine today.”

"I’d love to become a professional footballer one day.

"I’d love to play for England. Insha’Allah.

"But I know I’ve still got loads to learn, so I’ll just keep working hard and enjoying every day.

"I just want to keep training, keep getting better and keep enjoying it.

"If you asked me what my dream I I’d say to play professional football one day. I’d love to play for England. I’d love to hear the Champions League music. And I’d love to play in a World Cup.

"But Mum always tells me, 'dream big… but remember you have to work even bigger.'

"So that’s what I’ll keep doing."