The second half of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exclusive interview with Piers Morgan aired last night to the public.
Here are the key points from the hour-long special:
1. Insulting Wayne Rooney
The first minute was as insufferable as expected, as Morgan asked if Ronaldo had the same amount of Instagram followers (497m) as he does money in the bank. Ronaldo laughed and responded, “Probably similar!”, to which Morgan said, “I’m just trying to work out how Wayne Rooney could hate you even more and probably, that’s the answer.”
Ronaldo then replied: “Not only him, imagine the rest of the rats!”
Fans recognise who the only Manchester United legend is in this conversation, though. He goes by the name of…
2. His relationship with Erik ten Hag
Regardless of what came out last night, United supporters were not going to change their opinion of their manager. He was the fan-favourite to get the job, has made an impact already with his signings and tactical changes, and him being able to discipline egotistical players is just an added bonus.
After making a statement of his lack of respect for Ten Hag, he spoke more in-depth on the incident in which he refused to be substituted and left Old Trafford early. Below are his key comments on the matter:
“It’s [walking out vs Spurs] something I regret, probably, I don’t know. Let’s say I regret. I [also] felt provoked by the coach. I will not allow a coach to put me in for three minutes, I’m not that kind of player. I know what I can give.
“He doesn’t respect the way I should deserve, but it is what it is. This is why probably, the game against Tottenham, I left.
“He [Ten Hag] always mentioned to me that I didn’t need a pre-season and I should wait for my opportunity. I say OK, I understand. He doesn’t do the same for every player, I won’t mention players, but they don’t do it the same way.
On Erik ten Hag not bringing him on vs Manchester City because of his respect for him: “Excuses. I don’t want to criticise him, he can have different opinions from me, I respect that, but excuses all the time.
“He says things for the press, but the press say what they think is good to protect him and Man Utd.
“He keeps saying in the press that he counts on me and likes me, blah, blah, blah. But it’s only for the press, 100%.”
3. The summer transfer window
Ronaldo insisted that, despite what the media said, he had offers from clubs – but not “many”. He confirmed that he had an offer from Saudi Arabia to play for two years for a total of £306 million, which he declined.
He also stated that he didn’t leave as he felt “comfortable” at United.
4. The fans
After being asked about the fans, both his and United’s, he responded:
“I hope they [United fans] been in my side, even if I back, or if I’m not back, or if I stay or whatever. Nobody’s perfect. Episodes in the life we all have is part of the human beings, is part of me to be a human being and father as well.
“The fans for me always will be in my side, will be always in my heart. I see during when I go to the streets, the love, the passion, that people have for me, the respect. I hope they never forget the things that I will continue to do.
“Manchester will be always in my side, the fans will be always in my side; doesn’t matter what’s going to happen.
“The fans, they are always the answer, and the passion for the game. Manchester belongs to the fans, but they should know the truth. The infrastructure, they are not good. They should change.”
5. His future
In terms of United, the 37-year-old admitted he did not know whether or not he would play for the club again and that currently, his main focus was the World Cup, which is likely his last.
He said: “It’s hard, it’s hard for me to say that I will not be back to Man Utd. But regardless, as you say, it’s… let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Ronaldo is looking to play until he is 40 and then possibly retire, although, he will retire if Portugal wins the World Cup this year.
