The FULL Cristiano Ronaldo Interview With Piers Morgan | Parts 1 and 2

TL;DR

Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he felt betrayed at Manchester United, saying manager Erik ten Hag and the club showed him no respect. He reveals a Manchester City move was close last summer until Sir Alex Ferguson told him it was impossible, and that he broke the 24-hour shirt-sales record on his return. He also discusses his son's death, Messi, and turning down Saudi money.

Transcript

Cristiano let me start just by asking you why are you doing this interview with me because I think it's the time to say something um and because I like you 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 a... Read More

Key Insights

• Cristiano Ronaldo feels disrespected by Manchester United's management, particularly Erik ten Hag.
• Ronaldo's decision to return to Manchester United was influenced by emotional ties and a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson.
• He criticizes the club's lack of progress in infrastructure and support compared to other top teams.
• Ronaldo experienced a personal tragedy with the loss of his son, affecting his outlook on life and career.
• He believes younger players lack the same work ethic and passion that characterized his generation.
• Ronaldo turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, prioritizing competitive football over money.
• He maintains a respectful relationship with Lionel Messi, acknowledging him as a top player.
• Ronaldo aspires to continue playing at a high level and contribute to the sport beyond his playing career.
• More videos with Cristiano Ronaldo:
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Questions & Answers

Q: Why does Cristiano Ronaldo say he feels betrayed by Manchester United?

Ronaldo says he does not have respect for manager Erik ten Hag because, in his view, the manager did not show respect for him first. He points to being benched or brought on for only a few minutes as evidence he was being pushed out. He also says parts of the club worked against him rather than supporting him.

Q: How close was Ronaldo to joining Manchester City, and why did he choose United instead?

Ronaldo confirms the Manchester City move was close last summer while he was at Juventus, and notes Guardiola himself said two weeks earlier that they tried hard to sign him. His history at Manchester United and his heart made the difference. Sir Alex Ferguson was also key: Ronaldo asked him first, and Ferguson told him it was impossible for him to go to Manchester City, so Ronaldo said okay, boss.

Q: What happened on Ronaldo's return debut at Old Trafford?

United beat Newcastle 4-1 and Ronaldo scored twice, with Sir Alex Ferguson and his mother in the stands and the Viva Ronaldo chant ringing out. He calls it a memorial day and says scoring two goals was the best welcome he could have received. He also felt the mood change in the week beforehand, when the world was talking about Cristiano being back where he belonged.

Q: What records did Ronaldo break when he re-signed for Manchester United?

Within 24 hours of re-signing, Ronaldo broke the all-time record for shirt sales in a 24-hour period, beating Messi at PSG. United's tweet announcing his return also became one of the most liked tweets in Twitter history. Ronaldo's response was that he does not follow records, the records follow him.

Q: What did Ronaldo say about Manchester United's facilities and infrastructure?

He expected everything to have changed in the 13 years since he left, having spent nine years at Real Madrid and time at Juventus, but says he was surprised in a bad way because the technology and infrastructure were the same. In his words, the club stopped on a clock. He also describes instability at the club, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking about two months after his return and Michael Carrick taking over for two games.

Q: What personal tragedy did Ronaldo speak about in the interview?

Ronaldo discusses the loss of his baby son around childbirth, which he describes as one of the hardest moments of his life. He talks about the effect on his family and the support he received from his partner Georgina during that period. He also says the club's handling of that time, and of his daughter's illness, shaped how he felt about United.

Q: Why did Ronaldo turn down the offer from Saudi Arabia?

He says he rejected the Saudi Arabian offer because he still wants to compete at the highest level rather than take the money. Ronaldo says he believes he can still play in the Champions League and contribute to a top team. The decision reflects his focus on his legacy over the size of the contract.

Q: What does Ronaldo say about Lionel Messi and about his own future in football?

Ronaldo speaks respectfully about Messi, describing him as one of the greatest players he has competed against, even though they are not close friends. He credits the rivalry with pushing both of them. Beyond playing, he wants to pass on what he has learned about longevity and professionalism, and says he is disappointed that some young players do not take the chance to learn from him.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo shares his experiences at Manchester United, highlighting challenges with management and infrastructure. He expresses disappointment in the club's lack of progress and respect, particularly from manager Erik ten Hag. Despite personal tragedies, Ronaldo remains focused on his career and legacy.

• Ronaldo discusses his near move to Manchester City, which was halted by Sir Alex Ferguson's influence. He criticizes the club's treatment of him, particularly during his daughter's illness, and the lack of support from former teammates like Wayne Rooney.

• The interview reveals Ronaldo's desire to continue playing at a high level, rejecting a massive offer from Saudi Arabia. He emphasizes his commitment to competitive football and reflects on his relationship with Lionel Messi and his future aspirations.