Interview Qa Format

Q: Cristiano, let me start just by asking you, why are you doing this interview with me? [00:00:00]

Interviewer: Cristiano, let me start just by asking you, why are you doing this interview with me? Cristiano Ronaldo: Because I think it's the time to say something. And because I like you.

Q: As simple as that? [00:00:10]

Interviewer: As simple as that? Well, don't say that in public. Well, I like you too, and I appreciate it, because I think that you've had to sustain a lot of criticism this year in particular, probably more than at any stage in your career. And I think it's time to set the record straight and to clear up a few things. Not least, I suspect, for the fans of Manchester United. You must be wondering what the hell's been going on. Cristiano Ronaldo: As I say many, many times, the fans, I'm always going to say good about them. They are the most important things in football. You play for them. They're always in my side. I feel that every time when I go, when I walk in the streets, it's the fans coming to me and they appreciate what I did, what I do for football. And for me, it's the most important in football. The fans, for me, is everything.

Q: I want to take you back to last year, last summer. You're at Juventus and there's massive speculation about where you're going to go. And the big rumour is that you're going to go to Manchester City. So, first of all, how close was that to happening? [00:01:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it was close. It was close. It's something that they spoke a lot. And what they always say, two weeks ago, I guess, that they try hard to have me. But, as you know, as my history in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling, the way, the history that you did before make the difference. And, of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson. So, I was surprised in the same way, but it was conscious decision because their heart was speaking loud.

Q: in that moment. You were a Manchester United legend. So, when you say your heart led you, it's because of that, the history you had with the club and the relationship you maintained with Sir Alex, with the fans. [00:01:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think it was the key. It was the difference in that moment. But, I cannot be loyal if I would say that Manchester City wasn't close. But, I think I did conscious decision. I don't regret at some point. And, as you mentioned before, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key.

Q: Did you speak to him before you came back? [00:02:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Yes, I did. Yes, I did. I spoke with him.

Q: What did he say to you to try and persuade you? [00:02:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: He said to me that it's impossible for you to come to Manchester City. And I said, OK, boss. So, I took the decisions and I repeat with very, I was with conscience that it was a good decision.

Q: You came back and it couldn't have started better. You played at Old Trafford. You won 4-1 against Newcastle. You scored twice. Sir Alex was there loving it, obviously, the return of the prodigal son. Your mother was there, the return of her own son. Your mother was crying, obviously. [00:02:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Obviously, yes.

Q: But what a comeback. How did that feel that day when you came off the pitch? [00:02:42]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Well, that feeling was amazing. But not only the day of the game. I felt before the week, before that everything changed. the world speak about me, Cristiano back home, back where they belong. So it was a special moment to be back to Manchester United to perform for our fans and, of course, to score two goals was the best welcome that I received in Old Trafford. It was a memorable day and unbelievable day, too.

Q: The Viva Ronaldo chart went up? [00:03:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Yes, Viva Ronaldo.

Q: You like hearing that? [00:03:18]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Viva, of course I did. As I told you before, the fans for me, they are everything.

Q: Two things happened, I think, within 24 hours of you re-signing for United. One, you broke the all-time record for shirt sales in 24 hours. You actually beat a guy called Messi at PSG. You must have been happy about that. [00:03:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Of course I do. As you know, I don't follow the records. The records follow me. It was good. Another one in my book.

Q: And the other one was the Manchester United tweet announcing that you were rejoining the club. It was the most tweeted, or most liked tweet, I think, in Twitter history. [00:03:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: It was good. As I told you before, it was a good moment. Nobody expected because things change around, in my opinion, in 72 hours, which you plan or they spoke not only Manchester City but other clubs too, spoke about your name that you will change Juventus for another club. But Manchester United wasn't there, wasn't in that pot of that teams. But surprised everybody, even me, to be honest.

Q: After a few weeks, things weren't going well at Manchester United. The club just wasn't firing and in the end, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager, got sacked. And that's within two months of you coming back. What were you feeling about what was going on at United and what did you feel generally about the club itself and the state that the club was in compared to when you'd been there before? [00:04:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: To be honest, when I signed for Manchester United, I thought everything was changed because it's 13 years that I changed. I was in Real Madrid nine years and three in Juventus and when I arrived, I thought everything will be different, you know, the technology, the infrastructures and everything. But I was surprised in a bad way, let's say, in that way because I saw everything was the same. And Manchester it wasn't in that moment that as you mentioned that Ole was sack, Michael Kerik he assumed the job for two games, Villarreal and Chelsea away. And everything was so fast but surprised me a lot. Instability in the club, everything was kind of the same that I...

Q: You hadn't moved on? [00:05:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: No, they stopped on the clock in my opinion which is something that surprised me. I didn't expect and slowly and slowly they start to change even the windows to new players and it was tough. It was tough for me because I didn't expect that and...

Q: Because when you were there before if Manchester United wanted a player under Sir Alex Ferguson they normally got their man. Right now it's a very different environment after many years of failure since Sir Alex retired United weren't getting the top players anymore. So were you surprised by that dynamic changing as well because you would have been used before to them if they wanted top players they got them. [00:05:25]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I was surprised I thought when I signed that they signed in that year Sancho and Varane plus me that things will be in the way that Manchester should be. As you mentioned well Sir Alex Ferguson left a big gap in the club not only Sir Alex Ferguson but one person that I thought made the difference David Gill the president a very very good man and the structure around Sir Alex Ferguson was very important too. I knew that Manchester United wasn't the same but I don't see that it was some big gap some big things that go through by the last 10 years and it was the thing that surprised me more to be honest.

Q: These little things like even the swimming pool the players use the saunas all these facilities nothing had changed since you'd left in 2009. Nothing changed [00:06:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: surprisingly not only the pool the jacuzzi even the gym even some points the technology the kitchen the chefs which is I appreciate lovely lovely persons they stop in a time which is it surprised me a lot I thought I will see different things different as I mentioned before technology infrastructure but unfortunately we see many things that I'm used to see when I was 20 21 23 so surprised me a lot.

Q: You'd also of course as you said you've been at Real Madrid and Juventus where you saw them moving all the time to progress with technology the latest thing to improve performance levels so you were able to compare what you'd experienced there with what was not happening at United [00:06:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: In United the progress was zero in my opinion to compare with Real Madrid and even Juventus that they follow the recent world so the technology especially the terms of training nutrition and conditions of eat properly and to recover better than before surprised me Manchester right now to compare with that club I think it's it's behind in my opinion which is something that surprised me a club with this dimension should be on the top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately they are not in that level but I hope the next years they can reach to be in a top level

Q: When you look at United have had some of the best managers in the world follow Sir Alex Ferguson and they've all been relative failures compared to other stages of their careers do you think that partly that's down to the structural element of this that there just isn't the support that top managers need [00:07:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I don't know what's going on but since the Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw not evolution in the club the progress was zero for example you have an interesting point that how the club as Manchester United after Sok Ole they buy they bring sport directive Ralph Rechnick which is something that nobody understands this guy is not even a coach a bigger club like Manchester United bring sport directive surprised not only me but all the world you know

Q: Well it was a ridiculous decision wasn't it? [00:07:45]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Of course in my opinion you have to be honest if you're not if you're not even a coach how you're gonna be the boss of Manchester United it's something that I should see that Manchester is not followed not the right way to reach successful like other teams like for example Liverpool or Manchester City Chelsea they are one step behind or two because of this kind of mistakes in my opinion that they should improve and change probably the staff or the people the directives or presidents I don't know who is the who is the problem there but did they show

Q: a lack of ambition to you when they replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who a lot of fans liked but he obviously wasn't delivering the big titles that United wanted and were used to but to a point someone like Ralph Randnick I mean I'd never heard of him and I'm thinking nobody and I'm thinking has you heard of him [00:08:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: no of course no you'd never heard of this guy nobody and the people who I speak nobody knew it who was him and suddenly he's did you call him the boss of course I respect we have to call because he assumed the job regardless all the coaches that I had in my career I call them boss because if they assume the job we have to call in that way but in the end of the day deep inside me I never saw him as a boss because I saw some points that I never agreed and he stopped in the time as well because if you're not being a coach the next five years you're going to you know you're going to lost the identity of to be a coach so surprised me a lot but in the same way, don't surprise me a lot because if you see the structures they keep in the same so the coaches didn't surprise me but it was a tough moment

Q: what was extraordinary was very quickly after Ranik Togova he started briefing journalists that you weren't pressing enough and that maybe it would be a good idea if you moved on from the club and I'm like who is this guy and why is he saying this to the man who's scoring the goals [00:08:55]

Cristiano Ronaldo: to be honest it's something that I I don't understand it's the new coaches that coming around they think they find the last Coca-Cola in the desert which is that I don't understand the football that he invents many many years so but I respect any coach have a different approach different opinions different mentality but kind of some points that you're you not agree so I'm always like that in my life I'm always been besides the best coaches in the world Zidane Ancelotti Mourinho Fernando Santos Allegri so I had kind of some experience because I learned from them and when you see some coaches that they're coming that they want to revolution the football I not agree I have my opinion they agree or they don't they disagree but it's part of the business because I'm in the end of the day I'm in a club to win and with my experience I want to help like always and there's some coaches that don't accept and you know it's part of the job

Q: Did you know what he was doing running or not at a club like United? [00:09:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: No they don't they knew the club very well but they don't know the dimension of the club inside the history of the club which is for me surprised me even more which is when knew the soccer Oli Solskjaer you should bring a top manager not sports director

Q: Did you think it was right to get rid of Solskjaer or would you have kept him on? [00:10:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Well it's not well I love Solskjaer I think he was a top person because what I keep inside my heart it's the heart of the persons and Oli for me is a top person coach of course he wasn't he didn't look for what he what he wants it's hard it's hard to assume after Sir Alex Ferguson but I think he did a good job for sure he needed more time but I never doubt that he's going to be a good coach in the future but it was a good experience I was so pleased to work with him even a short period

Q: what about the younger players and specifically their mentality because it seemed to me just from what I was reading when you were originally at Manchester United as a young 18 year old that you had huge respect for the older players the Keens and these guys in the dressing room and you would soak up their experience their wisdom and so on did you get that same respect do you think from the younger players [00:10:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I don't mean that they don't respect the experienced players or the oldest players I don't think that word is the best one but they live in a different era I can't see my kid they have 12 years old the mentality are not the same they are not suffer what's the difference the anger I think the anger I think they have the things more easily everything is easily they don't suffer and I think they don't care I don't mean only I feel in Manchester United but all the teams all all leagues in the world the youngest they are not the same of my generation but we cannot blame them because it's part of the life you know the new generation and the new technologies that avoid distract them for another thing but they are not the same they listen but this is why we have two years you listen from one side and they go away from another side so don't surprise me but in the same way it's a little bit shame because if they have the best examples in front of your eyes and if they don't at least copy what you did for me it's kind of weird because I remember when I was 18, 19, 20 I'm always looking to see the best players Van Nistelrooy Ferdinand Roy Keane and Geeks this is why I have the successful that I have and longevity because I take care of my body my mentality my head because I see these guys and I learn from them

Q: when you try and give advice to these younger players what do you say to them what do you try and guide them to be like [00:11:45]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think the best advice I'm not the kind of guys to like to give advice I prefer to be as example because I'm an example I'm there every morning I do the same stuff I'm probably the first ones to arrive and the last ones to go out I think the details speak for itself because as I told you before they listen one thing and in two minutes they already forgot and do it whatever they think it's better this is why I say I like to lead by example and someones they follow me not much but you see I find that

Q: I just find that incredible that if I was a young footballer and I had Cristiano Ronaldo at my club that I wouldn't want to spend every second watching him listening to him observing the way you go about your business and yet from what you're saying clearly they're not interested they don't care [00:12:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: some ones yes but most of them no but for me it's not surprising because they're not going to have longevity careers in my opinion it's impossible it's impossible to see for example my generation you see many players they reach 36, 37, 38 in a high level I think this generation you're going to count by your hands how many are going to reach in that level because these years of preparation it helps a lot

Q: Who are the players in the world that you most admire for their mental strength their attitude [00:12:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: It's a difficult question because I always can say what I see from my eyes for example if you tell me what I see for example in Manchester United I can mention probably Dalot Diogo Dalot his example is young but he's very very professional and I'm not doubt that he's going to reach he's going to have longevity in the football because he's he's young he's smart intelligent and he's very professional you have a few ones more but like him it's it's difficult to see probably Martinez Casimero is 30 but I will say Dalot

Q: so Rannick's come then he's your second manager it's not working the results aren't great you're still scoring goals regularly for Manchester United you're about the only one who is but then you get hit by an awful episode in your life probably the worst time of your life where your partner Georgina she's pregnant with twins and is actually giving birth to these two babies and your baby son doesn't survive and I don't think I can imagine I have four kids you have a lot of children you know you can't imagine a worse thing to happen than to go a full term of a pregnancy particularly for the poor mother in that case but also for you what was that like for you that time in your life [00:13:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it was probably the worst moment that I passed through my life since my my father died you know when you have a kid that you expect that everything will be normal and you have that problem it's hard you know as human being that I am in Georgina we had quite difficult moments because we don't understand why happened to us it was difficult to be honest it was very very difficult to understand what's going what's going on in that in that period of our life as you know the football carry on they are so fast many competitions the football don't stop we have many many competitions and pass through in that moment was probably the most difficult moment that I had in my life me and my my family especially Gio that was was tough

Q: she said she was giving an interview about the new series of her TV show and she said in an interview a big piece of my heart shattered and I asked myself how I could carry on I had the answer nearer than I thought I looked into the eyes of my children and there I saw the only way of doing it being all together [00:14:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yeah I saw too yeah this is why what we did we I grew up my family especially Gio and we had the difficult moments but we say listen we have more more kids we have one that born Bella that we have to be happy to it's such

Q: a difficult situation again where you're mourning the terrible loss of your little baby boy but also celebrating the birth [00:14:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: of your beautiful daughter I try to explain sometimes to my family and even my close friends they say I never felt to be happy and sad in the same moment yes I never felt it is hard to explain so difficult so difficult it's you don't know if you cry you don't know if you smile yes because it's something that you don't know how to react you don't know what to do to be honest and of course I remember very well that I look like I don't know the word that to define what I felt in that moment but it's it's crazy feelings crazy emotional but as I told you before I I have to hold that we had at least Bella which is the most important one die and one survive but it was it's difficult to explain how did

Q: How did you explain it all to your other children they must have been so confused about [00:14:55]

Cristiano Ronaldo: in the beginning you arrive in home and the kids start to say where's another baby where's another baby of course Cristiano I had conversation with him in the day because he's 12 years old he knows he understands everything and I had a nice conversation with him we cried together in his bedroom and he explained and it's kind of he doesn't understand he understands but in the same way he was a little bit confused the other ones in the beginning in the table the kids start to say mom where is the other baby and Gio in the beginning they start to say because you know she had a little bit belly because they had two it's hard process and after one week I say let's be frontal let's be honest with the kids let's say that Angel which is the name they go to the to the heaven it's better to say in that way and we start to use that in that way and the kids always understand when we had shots in a table and they say daddy I did this for Angel and they point out for the sky which is I say and I like it the most because it's part of the life and I am not going to lie to my kids to say the true which was a difficult process but in the same way I become more father more friendly of them they become more close to his daddy especially me with Georgine as well

Q: I was going to ask you that because these things they can make or break relationships because the grief can be so intense it can drive couples apart or it can bring them closer [00:15:55]

Cristiano Ronaldo: in my case it was better in that way I became more friendly of Gio I was friend but I see more lovely for her and for my kids and I start to see the life with a different perspective you understand which is coming the point of if you're going to ask me for sure the pre-season moments for example why I didn't go to the pre-season I'm going to come to that but it was just to finish in that chapter was the most difficult moment the last since my dad die it was this moment that I passed through the last six months

Q: do you feel your son is with you in spirit [00:16:25]

Cristiano Ronaldo: for sure for sure ashes is with me like my daddy they are here in my house yes yes it's something that it's I want to hold for the rest of my life I not throw to the ocean or to the sea I keep with me they are next to my to my daddy I didn't know if you check I have a small church down and I do like a little chapel yes chapel and I keep my daddy and my son

Q: Do you talk to them? [00:16:45]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yes I do I talk with them every time and that they are in my side they help me to be a better man to be a better person to be a better father and it's something that I really really proud that the message that they sent me especially my son

Q: amazing. You had an extraordinary reaction from football fans obviously from Manchester United but I think you must have been just so surprised by the outpouring of not just support but Liverpool fans sang on the seventh minute of their next game your never walk alone the cop the great infamous enemy of Manchester United. What did you feel when you heard that? [00:17:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I never ever expect that never I had the opportunity now to to say all English community thank you a lot for that kind of that they had with me not only Liverpool but all England I felt

Q: at Arsenal when you played and on the seventh minute the whole crowd [00:17:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: received a letter from the Queen family as well really yes I do which is from the Queen herself yeah family yeah and surprised me a lot offering the condolences yes wow unbelievable this is why I say I respect a lot the English community English people because they've been very kind with me and in that difficult moment on my life was spectacular the way they treat me me and my family and that difficult moment I should say straight to the crown thank you to all English community that helped me in that moment

Q: When the Queen sadly died in September you posted a very nice tribute to her. Was part of the reason because of what they had been like with you? [00:17:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: of course they've been so kind of with me and this is why I did what I did. but it was unbelievable moment I never ever gonna forget that moment

Q: You have a little girl Bella she's six months old now must be a great joy amid all that terrible sadness [00:18:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: unbelievable it was another member in the family they are the the shine of the house and we are so proud me Georgina and all my kids they are very very proud for them they are spectacular beautiful girl and we are so happy we are so happy we are happy fathers

Q: you gonna have more? [00:18:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm not thinking now to thinking more kids I think we done but we never know the future only gods know but right now we want to have a break to enjoy these ones because they are little Bella six and the rest there five and Cristiano 12 we want to enjoy a little bit of these ones let's see the future it's

Q: very difficult to play top level football at the best of times it's a hard business in full public glare of millions of people watching to have to go back and play after this must have been incredibly hard for you even with your mental strength how did you find that [00:18:35]

Cristiano Ronaldo: difficult very difficult to play after that but as I always have good support from my family and Georgina told me go go to play go enjoy to do what you like to do it's going to help for you to forget a little bit the situation was difficult but at the same point I think helps for you to don't think much about that even to training was good but as you know the football going so fast and you know trainings games even the national team the things going so fast you don't even have time to settle and say what's going on you know because the thing is going so fast but it was good help Georgina helped me a lot to give me that possibility to say listen

Q: she's a very strong woman. [00:19:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Georgina yes I mean

Q: really strong. Yes. To just be your partner it's probably not an easy time a lot of the time with all the attention all the time but to go through what she's gone through and still be there. [00:19:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: we help each other but she struggle when she is young which she knows she look at life with different heights even she's young but she suffered you know she's born in Argentina she has issues with his family as well she lives alone she has interesting life and histories as well history and she helped me a lot she's very mature for his age we help each other sometimes when I'm a little bit down she pushed me up and I do it to the other side so we are a nice couple we help each other so I'm really pleased that she's on my side

Q: Any movement on the wedding bells, Cristiano? [00:19:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm not thinking now about that but I can see in the future I think I deserve she deserves but it's something that is not coming now in my plans but in the future yes I want

Q: Four days after this terrible time in your life United get a new manager Eric Ten Hag. Did you know much about him? [00:20:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: a little bit through Ajax the job that he did for Ajax

Q: you end the season with 24 goals for Manchester United including 18 in the Premier League 6 in the Champions League you were second in the golden boot for the English football I mean by any normal yardstick that's an incredible performance and yet you were still getting criticised it was almost like well it's going to be your fault even though you scored all the goals were you as bemused as I was that you were becoming the focal point for the criticism [00:20:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think it's easy it's easy to point out when you want to cover other things to put to point out Cristiano Ronaldo it's it's easy everyone now that that press they want to put me in the first page because they know they will sell more the interesting will be different and I'm used to live like that because when I was 37 I know and I learned many things when you are in the down of the wave when you are in the top of the wave it's you don't realize and you don't see things that you don't see before which is I appreciate to have bad moments to see which people is in your side who criticize you more because they're looking for that they don't like to see successful people the people only try to bring negativism and I felt the last four five months that not only for me but even for my family as well for Georgina especially around the world the press criticize me even more sometimes I don't understand why even Portuguese press that they criticize me a lot I don't understand but I still believe that the jealous is part of that they want to cover many things that helps to shine other things but listen because I know I'm 21 years in the top of the game so I know how it takes so for me it's not a problem it's hard when you are a little bit down to listen to this criticize

Q: Do you read it all? Do you read newspapers? Do you read social media? [00:21:35]

Cristiano Ronaldo: A good thing that I have it's I don't like to read because I know 90% of the times they lie they are garbage the press they are garbage not all of them but most of them they don't say the truth and they lie they constant lie and they constant attack me and my family there always negativism against my family why I'm going to read because I know they try to make me feel bad me and my family which is something hard to deal but in the end of the day I understand but it's really really hard

Q: The problem you have is you're too famous you are the most followed human being on Instagram that you have I just checked 495 million followers I have just under 2 million on Instagram 8 million on Twitter [00:22:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: million on Twitter

Q: so I'm catching you on Twitter slowly but you're nearly half a billion followers on Instagram that's insane [00:22:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: It was good. It's good. I feel proud for that. It means it means a lot for me because it means that people like me too. I'm charismatic. I think why I'm the number one. Sometimes I ask that question to myself. Why me and not another one? To be honest, I not just only because I play good football because everyone knows, but I think the rest is relevant. You have to be charismatic. People have to feel some connection with you. I think to be good looking helps too.

Q: I have the same way to be honest I don't know the real reason but I think I'm charismatic and I'm I'm appetitive fruit I don't know if we a fruit that people want to bite I don't know how you can say in English any particular fruit or let's say strawberry [00:22:45]

Interviewer: strawberry Cristiano Ronaldo: but I don't know the reason

Q: I mean what's incredible to me is the power you have appetite fruit I don't know if it makes sense in English but if it doesn't make sense you learn I research appetite fruit yeah I mean I have a pinned tweet and it's you telling me I have good abdominals which is a very good observation and it's only 10 seconds long it's had 43 million views this clip so thank you 43 million people have heard the guy who actually has got good abdominals tell me I've got good abdominals but it showed me the sheer firepower you have in that world of social media it's just extraordinary is [00:23:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: what I what I told you before I have I have good things which is you you can sell your own product let's say in that way but you have to deal with many obstacles in your life too

Q: Do you care if people hate you I mean a lot of people love you but obviously a lot of people don't you so big you get both but do you care about the ones who hate Cristiano? [00:23:25]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I care the people who like me I don't waste time for the people who don't like me I think it's waste of time these people they are not interested in my life I like to be around the people who love me I don't waste my time to see the criticise of people who are next to me ex players for example

Q: one of your biggest critics has been and I'm surprised about this me too Wayne Rumi for example who you played with for many years very successfully and were good friends with him and yet all this year three or four times he's come out and attacked you in the media Pierce [00:23:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I don't understand you should ask this question to him but I don't know I don't know why he criticised me so bad or I don't believe that is jealous

Q: of me your behaviour is unacceptable United should sell you you know blah blah blah blah I mean it's Wayne Rooney [00:24:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it was one year ago or six months ago here in my house he picked up his kids here and invite Cristiano to go his house to play football I really don't understand people like that or if they want to be on cover of the paper of the news or they want new jobs or whatever is it jealousy as well perhaps that you're still playing probably because he finished his career with 30s so I'm still playing higher level I'm not going to say I'm looking better than him which is true but that is inarguable I mean there's no contest it's hard to listen that kind of criticise and negative about people who play with you for example Gary Neville as well

Q: Gary Neville you blanked him the other day on the pitch and he looked quite upset actually because he likes being your friend but he's been critical of you as well people can have his own opinion but they don't really know what's going on for example inside the training ground and even my life they should listen not only one point of view they have to listen to my point of view as well because it's easy to criticise but if you don't know the old story it's easy but it's as I said before are they still friends of yours or do you have a line where they are not my friends they are colleagues we play together they they not coming we before it's part of my journey they kill they keep criticising me negativism every time so I follow I continue my trip and I have to catch up the people who like me [00:24:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: people can have his own opinion but they don't really know what's going on for example inside the training ground and even my life they should listen not only one point of view they have to listen to my point of view as well because it's easy to criticise but if you don't know the old story it's easy but it's as I said before are they still friends of yours or do you have a line where they are not my friends they are colleagues we play together they they not coming we before it's part of my journey they kill they keep criticising me negativism every time so I follow I continue my trip and I have to catch up the people who like me

Q: some of your ex colleagues have been incredibly supportive Rio Ferdinand has always got your back Roy Keane always has your back whatever happens he's always supported you and has continued to do so does that mean a lot because I was in the dressing room with them they are part of my journey in football as well as I mentioned many times Roy do or when the people speak good about you criticize in that way it must hurt you it's not good yes I did but not hurt you I'm not going to be more slim I'm not going to sleep bad because of the criticize but it's not good to listen that disappointing a little bit yes disappointing [00:25:35]

Cristiano Ronaldo: a lot because I was in the dressing room with them they are part of my journey in football as well as I mentioned many times Roy do or when the people speak good about you criticize in that way it must hurt you it's not good yes I did but not hurt you I'm not going to be more slim I'm not going to sleep bad because of the criticize but it's not good to listen that disappointing a little bit yes disappointing

Q: do you have more pounds in the bank or more Instagram followers? [00:26:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it's a good question

Q: Probably similar I don't know probably similar I'm just trying to work out how Wayne Rooney could hate you even more and probably that's the answer well [00:26:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: not only him imagine the rest of the rats they're going to criticize you too but it's good it's good to be still number one if you see the something that make me happy too if you see Forbes magazine every year I'm on top of the list so it's not by coincidence to but knowing you it's not the money so much it's just you want to be at the top right I mean that's what I think what drives you someone said to me what drives Cristiano Ronaldo I don't think it's money I think it's being the best beating people

Q: it's years the football change I see football now as a business to be honest sometimes Georgina have expression that I don't understand they treat you they treat your players like a piece of meat I say yes you say everything it's true when they want you when they they they count with you they give you everything when they don't they try to make a hard life to you I see football piece the last years as a business I saw many many things that I'm disappointing the passion for the game still intact but in the same way I say I saw other things as well which is surprised me but in the same way it's part of the business because if you see the world how it is in the moment it's it's all business everyone taking on itself everyone they are more individual well [00:26:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it's years the football change I see football now as a business to be honest sometimes Georgina have expression that I don't understand they treat you they treat your players like a piece of meat I say yes you say everything it's true when they want you when they they they count with you they give you everything when they don't they try to make a hard life to you I see football piece the last years as a business I saw many many things that I'm disappointing the passion for the game still intact but in the same way I say I saw other things as well which is surprised me but in the same way it's part of the business because if you see the world how it is in the moment it's it's all business everyone taking on itself everyone they are more individual well

Q: you become a commodity don't you where if you can sell record number of shirts in 24 hours great right but if suddenly the team isn't performing well and they need someone to blame it looks to me like at Manchester United the default position is it's got to be Cristiano's fault [00:27:20]

Cristiano Ronaldo: exactly it's always my fault the problem is always me I look like I'm the black sheep which I don't like if you do good or if you do bad they always going to find some some criticize even in the national team the last three months as I told you before the criticize was so bad I mean not only in football way but professional and family way as well which surprised me a lot looked like I was a bad guy which is not true people have to listen from my amount the real the facts as well this is why I give this interview because I think it's the right time to speak out of my mind which is what they say the last four or five months is completely garbage I'm not going to say 100% but 99% it was garbage people say false things or lied things which things have annoyed you the most [00:27:55]

Q: family issues. I want to talk about one in particular on that which is when you were late back for the preseason training a lot of speculation because you'd said several weeks before that you wanted to play Champions League football and that you were maybe looking for another option because it didn't look like United would get to play. [00:28:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: let's make my points for example the preseason moment and after you mention new clubs or interesting for example which is I don't say nobody the people who surround me they saw friends and even my mom I had some problems in vacation that my young daughter they have a little problem they have bronchitis which is bronchitis bronchitis yes yes you're a little baby yes I was in Mallorca and she stayed one week in hospital which was you know you don't enjoy a lot and after what had happened so exactly and the people make make up histories that they say that I don't want to go travel people have to understand that I'm a human being I'm always going to be in my side of my family I'm not negotiating nothing behind that you understand and I even have the the lectures of from the hospital the feedback of the health of Bella which is I'm not showing nobody nobody asked me I keep for me people forget that I'm a human being that I passed through difficult moments

Q: well you must have been worried sick I mean I was [00:29:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: very worried you lost your baby son and now your baby daughter is in hospital exactly and you must have been absolutely

Q: I spoke [00:29:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I spoke with the directive and the president of Manchester United and kind of didn't believe that something going wrong which makes me feel bad really yes they didn't believe you they believe you but in the same way they are there I never ever going to change the health of my family for a football never now or 10 years behind or forward and it's something that really hurt me because they doubt of my words that I struggle especially Bella and Gio we had one week in hospital because Bella had a big problem and I didn't go to the pre-season because of that because I didn't I wasn't allowed to leave my family if something happened to do the pre-season because I think it wasn't not fair to leave my family for a pre-season this is why I didn't go I they don't care about your moments your struggle moments your issues family problems they want you they want you doesn't matter your family problems I don't mean Manchester but in general as I told you before the football goal is so fast you have many competition many games pre-season world cup now listen we have last you have one game after three four days you have to be international team preparation for the World Cup it's hard sometimes you have to sell everything and you know be with your family take the best decisions and in this summer I didn't feel comfortable I feel uncomfortable the way they treat me especially the press they doubt about me the professional that I am it's impossible to be 21 in the top of the game if you are not professional they doubt about which makes me feel very sad because in my life I'm always one of the best professionals this is why I'm still playing that level you [00:30:30]

Q: play in a preseason friendly and you leave the ground early with several other players and there's another huge fuss about this what was the truth about that had you got permission to go do you wish you hadn't left early now Ten Haag wasn't happy it was reported what's the truth [00:30:45]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I will be honest with you it's something that I regret to left from the stadium probably or maybe no I don't know it's difficult to tell you 100% if but let's say I regret but in the same way I felt provoked by the coach I'm not allowed for me a coach to put me three minutes in a game sorry I'm not that kind of player I know what I can give to the teams

Q: you're talking about the Tottenham thing I'm [00:31:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: talking

Q: about in preseason there was a friendly where you left the ground with several players [00:31:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: me eight players but they mention only my name which is everyone do that I don't understand why they mention only about high value kind of play game last year many players do the same in that game eight players do the same so but they only speak about the black chip which is me which is I completely understand okay it's done I apologize to the coach and for me the chapter was was

Q: closing it seemed to me that right from the start ten hug wanted to show you who the boss was that he dropped you he benched you he mucked you around he talked about you in the press were were were you getting that feeling I mean did you feel that [00:31:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: the feeling he always mentioned to me that I didn't need the preseason so I should wait for my opportunity I really understand I should well okay I understand but I'm not going to give you points but you don't do it the same procediment from to every players I'm not going to mention players but they don't do it the same way second I understand that becoming a new job Manchester was so bad the last five years that they should clean the house let's say in that way but the way they approach the way the press make this so big it's because probably the communication wasn't the best but I really understand in the beginning because I didn't do the preseason I don't start to play but going more farther than that other things happen that people they don't know and I'm not hiding that the empathy with the coach is not good I'm honest you don't have a good relationship with him I not mean good relationship the empathy is not good let's say

Q: Do you think he respects you? [00:32:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think he don't respect the way I should deserve but it is what it is this is why probably the game against Tottenham I

Q: want to come to these two games against Manchester City where United got destroyed he didn't bring you on he brought on other strikers but didn't bring you on and I felt insulted on your behalf I was like surely against Manchester City if you're losing this badly and you've got the greatest player of all time sitting there you at least give him some time don't you but he didn't and he said afterwards the reason was he had too much respect for you he wanted to respect you when you heard him say that what did you think [00:32:45]

Cristiano Ronaldo: excuses I say as excuses I say many things that I don't want to criticize him he can have different opinion than me that they choose the players that they think it's excuses have short legs you cannot excuse all the time which is things that don't make sense okay you don't put me against Manchester City because of respect of your career and you want to put me three minutes against Tottenham well

Q: that's the thing so you then play Tottenham and then he wants to bring you on with three minutes to go which is the complete opposite to what he said the situation was with City [00:33:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think it did purpose because for example in the national team the other clubs if the coach want to put me five minutes if someone injured or if they really need me I will help but in that way I felt provoked not only because of that game but before he was

Q: deliberately provoking you? [00:33:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: everyone know that disrespecting you exactly this is why I say I don't have respect for are in that situation I have to be honest that the things don't going well because of that because the empathy don't exist and he keeps saying things for the press but the press say what they think it's good to protect probably him and Manchester United but as I know as I understand many things that he signed three years contract with Manchester United probably I'm not going to be too much long in Manchester United apart when I finish my contract I really understand but I like guys that they don't lie they speak honest they be frontal and I not negotiate my morals my morals always will be intact and what what's going in my in my things the last two months was not respect in many ways which is I can regret for example against Tottenham to left the stadium before the finish [00:34:15]

Q: well [00:34:16]

Cristiano Ronaldo: there's a

Q: video clip which appears to show Ten Hag telling you to get ready to come on and you gesticulate back to him I'm not going to do that and as a result you get suspended for the next couple of games and he goes public and says it's because you refused to come on and you did then issue when you look back at that I guess my question would be you've always been very acutely aware of your role model status around the world do you wish with hindsight you hadn't done that and handled it a little way [00:34:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I regret to left the stadium but I was as I told the piece before I didn't felt that he had respect for me to put me on three minutes after the issues that we had before I was very very very very disappointing for the communicator of Manchester United to be honest. I never had a problem with any club with any coach and they suspended me three days which I felt a lot and it was and level of sports clubs I felt a lot and it was a shame

Q: Was it humiliating? [00:35:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I think so yes I have to say the truth what I felt I remember I arrived I arrived well I don't want to say I don't want to say details what he pretend to do it but I remember I arrived home and Cristiano see me daddy you not go to the game I said no because the club punished me with three days and he did like how are they going to punish you not going to play because I I am not being behaved and he looked at me like my daddy not behaved what in one way I was good because I was like more relaxed but in the same way I feel very disappointed because okay I regret I apologize I'm not perfect I commit a mistake but suspend me three games three days for that I think it's too much and they make fire for the press which is really disappointing

Q: and that seems to have been the pattern of the way Ten Hag has wanted to treat you since he became manager just constant attempt to disrespect you I guess [00:35:55]

Cristiano Ronaldo: many many points happened I think in some certain points I think was strategy from the club for me to react like that because they wanted you to leave probably yes they're trying to force you out yes not only the coach but the other two or three guys there around the club at the senior executive level yes that I felt betrayed and and they're trying to get rid of you honestly I shouldn't say that I don't know but listen I I don't care I'm always people should listen the true yes I feel betrayed and I felt that some people that don't want me here not only this year but last year too

Q: they didn't want you to go there at all? No, really? [00:36:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yes the owners of the club they listen they don't the glazes they don't they don't care about about the club I mean professional sport as you know this Manchester is a marketing club they will get his money from the marketing the sports it's they don't really care in my opinion

Q: Do you ever talk to them? The Glazers? [00:36:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: never never never not since you've gone back no they give all the power to the president the sport directive

Q: A lot of Manchester United fans are very negative about the Glazers. They think they're taking all the money out and not spending enough on players on the infrastructure issues you talked about. Do you think the fans are right? The fans [00:37:05]

Cristiano Ronaldo: are always right I think the fans should know the truth should know that the players we want the best for the club I want the best of the club this is why I coming to Manchester United this is why I love this club but you have some things inside the club which don't help to Manchester reach the top level as City Liverpool and even now Arsenal for example which is complicated it's difficult it's hard in my opinion it will be hard for Manchester to be on top of the game the next two three years if they don't change if the owners I don't mean the Glazers but the structure the structure as Picasso say you have to destroy it to rebuild and if they can start from me for me it's not a problem I'm always going to say I love Manchester United I love the fans they're always on my side but if they want to do it different era different generation they have to change many many things

Q: The Glazers stay owners? [00:37:55]

Cristiano Ronaldo: owners I don't mean the Glazers but the structure the structure as Picasso say you have to destroy it to rebuild and if they can start from me for me it's not a problem I'm always going to say I love Manchester United I love the fans they're always on my side but if they want to do it different era different generation they have to change many many things

Q: when you walked away at Spurs and didn't go on Gary Neville said your behaviour was unacceptable called for you to be punished he said he knows what he's doing he's experienced and players of that power have a real negative impact when they do it the influence they have on other players is really negative and it was after that that you gave them the old blank treatment which was very funny by the way but for Neville to say that about you they [00:38:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: they can't they can't they only they don't see the big picture why I react like that what's happened all the behind the scenes all the behind the scenes I was probably not provoked they will accept to play three minutes after the whole situations that going through the last two months don't tell me that top players the guys who won everything the key players will play three minutes come on this isn't acceptable after what they keep saying before that they respect me they do this they do that for me it wasn't not respect this is why I take this decision I regret I've I apologize to my teammates for the situation I did a post in Instagram I regret to left from the stadium I regret my teammates they know what I felt I say to them apologize but in the same way I'm not to regret to take the decisions to don't coming on I'm like that I will be always like that if you don't have respect for me I'm never going to have respect for you and the coach didn't have respect for me so this is why the relationship it's it's in that way and he keeps saying in the press that he can't with me he like me blah blah blah blah but it's only for the press really?

Q: yes 100% [00:39:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yes 100%

Q: so where are you now in your head with all this because the World Cup is about to start you're going to go there with Portugal and we'll talk about that in a moment with a very exciting team actually but where are you with United? They won't be playing again now until after Christmas that leaves a few days before the January transfer window do you think you'll still be a United player come January 1st? [00:39:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it's difficult to tell right now because we my mood is right now to the World Cup it's probably my last World Cup of course my 5th World Cup I don't know what's going to happen after the World Cup but as I told you before and I will say again the fans will be always in my heart and I hope they've been in my side even if I'm back or if I'm not back or if I stay or whatever nobody's perfect episodes in the life we all have it's part of the human beings it's part of me to be a human being and father as well I always will commit mistakes but I don't know it's hard to tell you right now what's going to happen in the World Cup because my focus is only for the World Cup for the Portugal national team

Q: if you had your time again knowing what was going to happen would you sign for Manchester United again? [00:40:15]

Cristiano Ronaldo: as I told in the beginning I always took my decisions by not emotional moments but maybe this decision I took by emotional I'm not regret because I took with 100% conscience but it was more emotional than rational I don't know if it makes sense but it was good it was good because I was happy when they left me happy so I tried to give my advice my experience to help Manchester United to be where they deserve to be I don't pretend to be more smart than the other ones nobody is smarter than me but I'm not smarter than nobody when I arrive in Manchester United I always be available to help the team to do the good things to put it in the right spot to compete with the best teams but it's hard when they they cut your legs and they don't like you to shine and they don't listen to your advices I think I have awards to advice to the club because the trophies that I won individual and collective I think I can help a lot but when the infrastructure is not good what's amazing

Q: is you ended last season with hat-tricks you're scoring hat-tricks for fun one against Tottenham you know you were playing great football but you were starting most games and now this season you've barely started any game something happened you know I'd imagine you're a bit like a racehorse right if you don't start I did indeed the pre-season right right it's the excuse right which is ridiculous I did the pre-season so do you think if you've been able to just do what you did last season you just carried on scoring for sure you think [00:41:10]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I just learned to score goals maybe I'm not motivated that I'm supposed to be probably as I told you before I'm a human being I feel the things I'm not perfect but my motivation is not the same that I was that I was a few months ago I hope to change

Q: Do you feel like you need a fresh challenge? [00:41:35]

Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm not saying if it's fresh fresh challenge but let's see let's see I'm not I cannot answer right now because my focus is for the World Cup but I don't know maybe it's good for Manchester and better probably it's good for me as well to have a new chapter probably but I don't know if I will be back I will be the same Cristiano but I hope people being on my side and let me shine like I did all the clubs and all years

Q: what is the truth about other clubs making offers for you? Some people have said there were no offers at all I happen to know that there was a gigantic one from Saudi Arabia for example 350 million euros for two seasons is that true? [00:42:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yes it's true

Q: that's a staggering sum of money. Yes. Which you turned down in that moment. Yes. I mean that to me says you're not just about the money. It's what it's what I'm going to mention now. They say many many garbage things that if you are an agent what you're going to do you go the clubs but Jorge Mendes for example have more than 100 players and they go Chelsea, they go Arsenal, they always mention Cristiano Ronaldo, they offer Cristiano. But let's be honest, who's the most expensive player, salary player that Premier League have in history? It's me, even with 37 years old. Why they're going even they even offer me to Sporting or Napoli. I will be honest with you, I didn't have many many clubs but I have many many offers of the other clubs which I didn't change because I didn't plan to do it but I have. But what the press keeping say and the garbage press say that nobody want me which is completely wrong and I was happy here to be honest. I was motivated to do it a great season here. But they continue to repeat nobody want Cristiano. How they don't want a player who last year scored 32 goals with national teams? [00:42:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: yes it's true. I mean that to me says you're not just about the money. It's what it's what I'm going to mention now. They say many many garbage things that if you are an agent what you're going to do you go the clubs but Jorge Mendes for example have more than 100 players and they go Chelsea, they go Arsenal, they always mention Cristiano Ronaldo, they offer Cristiano. But let's be honest, who's the most expensive player, salary player that Premier League have in history? It's me, even with 37 years old. Why they're going even they even offer me to Sporting or Napoli. I will be honest with you, I didn't have many many clubs but I have many many offers of the other clubs which I didn't change because I didn't plan to do it but I have. But what the press keeping say and the garbage press say that nobody want me which is completely wrong and I was happy here to be honest. I was motivated to do it a great season here. But they continue to repeat nobody want Cristiano. How they don't want a player who last year scored 32 goals with national teams?

Q: I mean that's the point I don't get because there are people out there and you see them you hear them and they say well he's not the player he used to be as if somehow at 37 you're going to be as good as you were at 21 anyway everyone changed but you are the greatest 37 year old anyone's ever seen right and you're still extremely fit so it just seems to me nothing's changed from the player I saw banging in hat-tricks last season except that you have a coach who doesn't want to start you a few months what they're going to change [00:43:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: there's nothing

Q: Do you feel like you can still be a top player? [00:43:40]

Cristiano Ronaldo: for me it's stupid question when the people say they are not the same nobody is the same day by day we're getting old every one of us you understand it's normal you have to adapt and I think nobody in this game have this brain that adapts with his age I'm not I'm not want to be cocky to say that I'm the same that when I was 20 of course no but I'm adapt and I've been smart to know my strength what I'm good to do and I'm still playing the high level and I score goals and I will continue to score goals if my mind is clear and happy and if the people surround me they help me to be successful player especially the coach the president and directives but when you feel that the energy don't go surround you it's difficult you to be yourself which has happened this is what's happened with me but what they say the last three months is completely garbage and wrong they say that I offer me this and that and many presidents and directives speak about they reject from it's completely lie they lie because it's not what's happened I had many clubs not many a few clubs that they want me to sign and I didn't go because I feel comfortable here this is the truth

Q: how easy is it to turn down 350 million pounds to kick a football for two years in Saudi Arabia? [00:44:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it's hard but in the same way I thought that I was very happy here that I'm still capable to score goals and make people up

Q: is it also that you want to keep playing at the highest level that you want to play Champions League football you want to keep breaking records again it comes back to my gut feeling about you that if it was just about money you'd be in Saudi Arabia earning this King's ransom but that's not what motivates you you want to keep [00:44:50]

Cristiano Ronaldo: at the top exactly because I thought I still believe that I can't score many many goals and help the team because I still believe that I'm still good and capable to help the national team even Manchester United but if you don't feel surround you that the energy is in your side it's difficult of course the criticised are going to exist all the time 37 is still not the same but I want to see if some guy of my age maintains the level that I show I'm the fourth guy in the history of football with more games no goalkeeper no goalkeeper which is I know how to be good how to be fit how to protect your body you're not going to teach me that nobody is going to teach me that I know

Q: Are you as fit as you've ever been do you think? [00:45:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: Yes yes in this moment I feel very very good I expect to have a few minutes more in my legs but I saw yesterday I have 1000 minutes plus 118 from the national team I'm still feeling good fresh I believe that I'm going to do an amazing World Cup I'm prepared physically and mentally but Piers it is what it is life is good I'm good my mental is good I'm happy to do this interview with you I know they're going to generate many polemics of course but Christian but they would anyway

Q: right I mean they've all had their say and now you're entitled to have your say and you know better than anybody because you are Christian [00:46:00]

Cristiano Ronaldo: they criticise me when I don't speak of course when I'm going to speak they criticise me even more but it's something that I can I can deal with that I know I'm going to disappoint a few people maybe I'm going to make up a few people but it is what it is the life is it's completely difficult we have obstacles in our lives and I will keep running to fight against the people who don't believe me and the life is a challenge and I want to people the people that they are wrong when they say that

Q: if you do leave United and I accept this is not a done decision either way but if you do and it seems to me like it's more likely than not as we sit here what would your message be to Manchester United fans who have had to read all this stuff all year and probably have a very mixed idea about where the truth lies what would you say to them if you do end up leaving [00:46:30]

Cristiano Ronaldo: it's hard it's hard for me to say that I will not be back to Manchester United but regardless as you say it's it's let's see what's going to happen but as I told you before the fans for me always will be in my side will be always in my heart I see during the days when I go to the street the love the passion that people have for me the respect I hope that they never forget the things that I will continue to do it not only in the past but in the present too Manchester will be always in my side the fans will be always in my side doesn't matter what's going to happen and I appreciate the love that they send for me all the time even when I'm done play even when they when they criticise me they always will be in my heart so thank you to all the supports hope to see you soon and they always will be in my heart

Q: and what about Sir Alex the man who persuaded you to come back again really like a father figure to you really in many ways like another another father to you what's