Cristiano Ronaldo Exclusive! "I Still Love Man United."

I'm not happy the way it all happened, but in the same way, we cannot control some points in our life sometimes. But it's done, already done, and I repeat, I still love Manchester United and I wish them the best. Right guys, this is the first episode of my new series, Rio Meets. And there's nowhere else I wanted to start, man, than to start with one of my good old teammates, Cristiano Ronaldo. We wanted to go to the top and go out big from the start, and we've done it. That's why I've just landed in Portugal, and he's invited me around to his house. I'm gonna get behind the scenes and get to know Cristiano just a little bit more than you have before. I'm looking forward to speaking to him about when he came to Man United, when he joined us as a little skinny, funny-haired, funny-teethed teenager and left as a Ballon d'Or winner. I'm looking forward to helping you guys understand what goes into Ronaldo's life to make him the machine that he became from start to finish. But you know what, we're almost there now, so let's just get there. Let's get stuck in. Hey, how are you doing? How are you? Nice to see you. You're looking good today, you look strong. Sharp. All good? Not bad. For me, to be with you, as I told you before, we had a great relationship, we played together, and for me, now you are a big star. No, no, it's good. I'm looking forward to it, man. I've been a fan last night. Yeah. I'm here, there's United pictures all over the place, me and you lifting trophies. I've got to speak to you about Manchester United now. Let's go back. You went back to Man United. We spoke on the phone when you were going to go onside at Man United, when you were negotiating to come back, and my wife wanted to kill me. One o'clock in the morning, you rang me. What's going on? We need to sort this out. You end up signing for United. Initially, that must have been a beautiful thing for you, because I remember on the phone, you sounded so happy, and then, obviously, it went a bit sour. Just give us a bit of insight, and do you feel you've been proven right in what you said in the interview you done when you first left? To prove that I'm right or wrong, this is not my issues anymore. I say what I have to say, and for me, it's done. To be honest with you, what I wish for Manchester is what I wish for me. The best they can make against the best team they can. I love that club. I'm not that kind of guy that forgot the past. When I'm back there, I was very happy. I was one of the best scorers. I did unbelievable things with the club. My first season with 37. I was the third best scorer of the league. I scored all the group stages. I scored every game. Even in the league, I scored 17 goals, 18 goals. I did amazing, but as I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion. The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the league and Champions League. You cannot say, if you are a Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the league or Champions League. You have to mentally say, listen, maybe we don't have that potential, but I cannot say that. We're going to try. We're going to try. We have to try. Maybe that was when we were there. That was the culture. Maybe the culture is different now. They have to have a reset because the standards have gone down. The expectations have to come down. Yeah, exactly. Maybe. This is why I say, but this club needs time to rebuild because it's still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change. And they understand that it's the only way. And this is why you show that they start to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructures and everything, the owners of the club. They invest in the training ground. They invest in training ground. So I'm happy because I'm not happy the way it all happened. But in the same way, we cannot control some points in our life sometimes. But it's done, already done. And I repeat, I still love Manchester United and I wish them the best. Where do you see the promise in the squad? You look at their squad now, you look at Gannaccio. I'm not talking about players, attacking players really. And you see, you probably look there first. The Gannaccios, the Rashfords, the Hoylunds. Where do you see the promise there? I believe that the future will be bright. I believe. But they don't depend only on the talents. It's more than that. It's all club. Not only players. Club. Everything as a unit. United, you know? They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible. They can do good things. Yes, they can win Carabao. Champions League or Europa League or Premier League. Difficult. In my opinion. And I wish that I'm wrong. I wish. But it will be difficult. Do you think Rudi? Obviously, we know Rudi. He's gone back there now. I think he will help a lot. In which way? What do you mean? If Ten Hag listens to Rudi, maybe he can... I think he can help a lot because he knows the club. And the club should listen to the guys who were there. You or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville or whatever. Sir Alex Ferguson. You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge. Not guys who work in office. They understand. I understand a lot of football. Because I see football on television every day. And I understand. No, no. It doesn't work like that. The people who understand football. 99% of the people who were there in the dressing room were players. Who were the most successful coaches in the world? Guardiola, Ferguson. There were players before. They were in the dressing room. They understand. They know how to deal with the players. It's the people who understand the things. Do you understand? It's true. If you want to go to Formula 1 now to be injured, you don't know. I don't know. Do you understand? It should be guys who work that. It's like if you have electricity problems in your house. You don't call the plumber. Exactly. I know. But in my computer, I know how to change. No, this doesn't work like that. It's true. You understand what I mean? So, I believe that Ruud is going to help. Because he was inside the club. He knows the club. He knows the fans. If the coach listens to him, I think they can improve the club a little bit. That takes me back to when you were a kid. You turned up at Man United. This isn't about football. It's more about you. You turn up. Skinny. The hair is crazy. With spaghetti. Yes, spaghetti hair. The teeth are all over the place. You're the entertainer. You come. You're doing skills. The people can't believe it. I remember Ruud was the main man. Even he couldn't believe it. Everyone was like, wow. And he was all about step over entertainment. And then fast forward five, six years. You leave. You go to Real Madrid. Golden ball. Face is fixed. Good looking. Body. Fucking amazing. And a killer in front of goal. I learned that in Manchester United. Because the last years in Manchester United, I was the best scorer in the Champions League. And in the league, I was the best scorer too. 40 something goals. The mindset has changed. How? There. What made you change? Because I realized that the goals for our positions, it's more important than fucking step overs. Which is good. I know. The show boots. You remember Saturday? I used to love it. You used to love it. Yes, show boot is nice. You used to sit there and watch Sky. And when the show boat segment come on, you used to go. It's chapters that you have in your life. And you realize that things that you do, it doesn't worth it anymore. Or worth it less. And I start to realize that to win important things. And win Champions League. And golden balls. And golden boots. You have to score goals. And you have to perform in front of the net. And to come in the first page of paper. You have to score goals. Because if not, they don't put in the first page, you cut the ball in the line. It's the guys who score goals. Just on that point. You've played, and we're going a bit off topic here. But you've played at loads of clubs at the top level. And obviously there's always been young players at all those clubs. What are the young players like interacting with you at these clubs? Have you got any good examples of players that come to you for advice? Or you can tell that they're watching you. Who are those guys and what's it like? You know me very well. I don't lie. I see the best examples. I see Gary Neville. Your example. Giggsie. Roy Keane. What I do. I check everything. And I take from what you do best. What Gary do best. And I make my own personality. My own style. My own profession. What was it about those guys? What do you take from me then? You are professional. Good looking is very far from that. No, but you always do it in the gym. You're always strong. Center back. Strong with the good muscles. In the pitch. But outside. You do it in the gym. I remember. A lot. You are a tall guy. But a strong guy. Abs with Cleggy and everything. And of course the environment that we have in Manchester was good. Because everyone has his own ego. But at the same time we put our ego inside the team. And they know each other what they should do on the pitch. To win stuff. It's not a coincidence that we won everything. Because you know your work. You, Vidi, Root, Saha, me, Gary Neville, Filner. They know. Everyone knows his role in the team. And this is for my opinion. Who change the football and the trophies. Yes. Spain, for example. They win Euros. If you see Spain, the way they play. You see everyone knows his rules. This is why they win. It's not a coincidence. They beat everybody. You understand? They deserve. You have to. They work as a team. And the big teams. The teams who win more titles and Champions League. It's the team that plays. They know their rules. My opinion. And they sacrifice themselves. Exactly. But back to the point about going from winger to number 9. And scoring loads of goals. What did you have to change? What did you… Did Sir Alex Ferguson give you any pointers? Did maybe Van Nistelrooy? Or did somebody say to you, you need to change this? What did you have to work on that was different from being a winger to become the crazy goal scorer? I realised that the environment that I have. The players who I play with. I learn. I take something from all of them. In my opinion. Like who? Like what? Root? Everyone. Even from the defenders. You take, as I told you before. You take a piece of everybody. I mean the best ones. The most professional. And you build yourself. You understand? Root for me was to play with the… Try to go. For me was the best ever. My opinion. And I start to felt trading with them. The finishings. That I start good with the left. With the right. When you signed, you wasn't good with the left. Yeah, but I improve. I improve. I wasn't in the contest that was good. Because everyone practice. Everyone practice. And I was there. And I start to felt that. I'm good. I start good with the left. With the right. Start to score goals. And your confidence coming up. You understand? And this is why. Where you start to felt that. Cristiano, ok. You can do it step over. But focus more. In what you are good. Because you start to score goals. And you are good to score goals. So. Maintain that. And for me. It's the most smart way. If you want longevity in a football. That we. All of us. We start to lose things. Imagine. In a high level of football. Or tennis. Or Formula 1. You start to lose things. By the age. It's normal. It's a normal process. To adapt. The things that you lost. And the other things that you win. To build as a player. I know. I'm not the same player that 10 years ago. Of course not. You are the same guy. You have more grey hair. You are more fat. For example you. Grey hair. You are not the same. But you understand what I mean. You have to adapt. And if you want longevity in football. You have to adapt. Your things. And. Not only other way. In my opinion. You have to adapt. But you grew up. Out wide on the wings. And you became. A box. You are great in the box. You have adapted your game. To be great in the box now. And I watched the piece of movement. You done in the game. Against France. Oh the movement. Yes. The defender was looking there. You was there. The finish wasn't. Like we normally see. How did you learn. To do that movement. Because it wasn't something. You done as a kid. In the box. You learn. How. Who you from. How do you teach. You learn the players that you play. There is a lot of young people watching now. Who want to know how. How do I teach myself. As I told you. For me. It was a great move. To change. Portugal. To Premier League. With 18 years old. To work with Sir Alex Ferguson. To work in that contest. Because all the players were. Average age. Like when I say average. It's like. 25 above. Experience. And I was like. The little kid there. He treat me like. To protect me. And it was good. And my mindset. It always been. I want to be the best player in the world. It wasn't. Even with 16. 17. 18. And I wasn't there. Look. I have to take advantage of that. I play with the best players in the world. I have to learn with these guys. And build myself. This is what I start to do. This. And because I'm always want to learn. You understand. This is why. That's one thing I always say to people. You're humble like that. You always ask questions. Exactly. To take advantage from that. From my future. You understand. And I think it was because of that. To be honest. The curiosity to learn. I think it's the main point. If you want to be successful. Not only in football. But in life. You have to be a little bit. Curious. I think. Chris. Let's talk about Real Madrid. Firstly. What do you think of their. Their season last year? Most of the people say. Ah. They are lucky. In the Champions. No. They are not lucky. They have. Their brain. They are. They prepare. For this kind of moments. Bernabeu. All these stadiums. They have a different aura. You understand. Their energy is different. And when the big teams go. There. They score one goal. 85 minutes. 90 minutes. The pressure. Is a lot. For me. It's the best club. Ever. In the history of football. And I make story there. History there. I was. I win trophies. I win everything there. I'm the. The. The record. Of goals. Of. The club. And for me. It was a pleasure. To play in. Real Madrid. For. Eight. Seasons. Eight. Nine. Seasons. And. To win. Four. Champions. Leagues. There. And. Golden. Boots. And. Everything. I win there. So. I love that. That. That place. Impressed. Were you. Would. You better than. Coming to Real Madrid. Obviously. You know that. And that journey. And how difficult. It can be. How impressive. You've been with him in these first year. That's the same. It's the same. Huge. Huge potential. Huge talents. You go to the club. That. It's the environment. Was. Clean. Was good. And. You grow. Like the other one. Kamavior. Like. Rodrigo. like Vinicius so it's good I think he's in a team that help him to be a top player and I believe too that you're gonna be one of the best the next generation. Is the second year harder? You scored I think 20 something goals in your first year then I think you scored 50 in your second. That's not normal. Let's see the normal is in that way but they always you know Mbappé go there now how would you say Madrid is gonna be better or gonna be we don't know let's see let's see I think Madrid will will keep strong but I don't know if they will be better than last year I don't know let's see only gods know but they have a fantastic team fantastic players I believe that they're gonna be they're gonna be one of the best teams in the world. I want to talk about when you went there but obviously you've got Kylian Mbappé going there now and we'll get on to him but wait so it'd be similar for him when you went there what was the pressure like in the changing room because you had big I remember we spoke years ago and it was like you said there's a big Spanish contingent there it's gonna be difficult for me to get in. And I was the most expensive player ever What was that like? It was pressure but in the same way I believe in myself I say listen if I was the best player in the Premier League and I win the Golden Ball in Manchester United Champions League and this is the league but I was I knew it that I will do it well I knew it because as I told you I'm I believe in my my skills I believe in my talent was difficult because it's a different country the adaptation I was 24 still young but in the same way I was very very very positive the best club in the world I say I'm gonna make history in this club like I did in Manchester United it was a challenge for me but as you know I'm a challenged person I like to show the people that they are wrong you understand even with the age right now that we're gonna speak later about that I like to prove the opposite what the people thinking so was a big challenge for me and I was very very very happy to play in Real Madrid in that period. What are going to be the problems and what does I think you're gonna do it well to be honest because the structure of the club it's it's nice it's good it's solid you understand and they have a great coach and the president who were there many many years I think you're not gonna be a big issue for him not gonna be a big problem because it's his talent he show everything what is capable to do it and I think you're gonna do it well to be honest because it's in my opinion it can be the next golden ball for the last the next years him probably Ireland Bellingham I mean I think it's this new generation they have a lot of potential but let's see if they the head is clear and good and if they can deal with the pressure because Real Madrid is not PSG I can tell you there is different environment Spanish they are different but I believe that you're gonna do it very well so you just mentioned being closer to the end of your career than you are at the start but you're finished they say they say whatever they want but do you see all that you do listen to it you hear it you see it and use it as fuel sometimes but real to be honest I'm 39 and in and enough I care less about what because even when you do it good they criticize you but and criticize is part of your journey you understand so it's I don't care about that because I'm even even if I will win the Euros I will continue my hunger will maintain the same you understand it doesn't matter for me if you win or if you lost I will stand up the next day and I will continue bro if I won the Euros at 39 years old brother the cigar the feet would be up the whiskey I'll be doing it all man I don't understand how I can't and I played elite football I just still can't it surprises me it astounds me sometimes when I hear you and you're getting up every day the same like that like you're 18 years old it's it's hard to explain but I like to make people happy to you know I have fans whatever world or over the world and I see them highs when they see me just you know when I score goals and they do it in the street every time and I want them yes I want I want to make them happy you know and I'm still I don't know what I'm gonna finish and another thing that I learned since you play more you learn many many many things and one things that I learned in a few years is like enjoy the moment enjoy the moment leave the moment because you don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow so I know that I'm still looking good I mean I look good you know I feel that I still can dribbling still shooting score goals jumping the day that I start to feel that I'm not produce nothing listen I pack my bags and I go away but it's far from that because as I told you I don't want to be cookie yet I score 16 goals this season now you're going to go six six zero now you're gonna speak about five goals you don't score in heroes what's going on what's the problem I score 130 I score one I'm the most goal scorer in the world history yeah but I will I will put a label even I I will put the level even I my challenge is to be 1,000 goals you're gonna put the 1,000 I wanted to reach 1,000 goals in luck you know how are you gonna be there when you're playing still well I will try 41 we don't know yeah this is why I told you I want to leave the present but if I'm not have injuries that's good this is for me it's the most important I want that with one different all the goals that I score they have video so I can't prove that they all have video my goals all goals I mean and if you want more goals I can bring from the training too so no problem all the goals with video and I will prove the people after they prefer this player or this or this is the best hell I don't care about that I remember when we were younger it was in every phase of your life was competition in the change room arguing with Nani or with Anderson and the guys about one about tomato or something I told you and table tennis when I just left you a little bit but are you still competitive like that now every walk of your life yeah I was in the Red Sea a couple days ago I play everyday paddle and me and Cristiano jr. yeah get mad we don't speak with me like for two days it's the same as you remember this is why I'm happy this is why I'm happy and even the small one Mateo they are pissed with the vain very always speed but I like this is show that they have personality but serious my kids they are like me and I don't teach them they see by example because you know sometimes I when I lost I get angry or sometimes I'm cry depend of the moment and they are kind of the same so even with my kids I compete even with the gym I'm always one so I don't give nothing for free and this generation is difficult for you to tell them something and letting them to do it it's difficult your kids you felt that is really difficult but always in my mind put you will see your daddy by example they see me every day what I do in home in a training or in the game they say my daddy's work a lot every time you understand they see that they see that and but right in this moment Christian want to be football player but I'm not make a big pressure I make a little bit of pressure he's 14 years old how I'm gonna do it if you have the pressure ready to be son of Cristiano imagine if I make now in the middle of big Lions right now let him let him do it his mistakes let him do it is it is things but I hope so in the future it can be a professional player or if he's not be a player be another job but I will always will support them because we cannot make a pressure in our sons because we are famous and because you've been able to give them a different life to what you had yeah we both had we had humble upbringing when we were young we've lived good lives now because of football their lives are different so how do you give them hunger how do you give him the work ethic by example I think it's the only way I give good education to my kids but by example I think it's it's it's the best way it's difficult as I told you before this generation is completely different than our generation this is why I have conversation with my my friends a couple days and I say I will tell you today I will tell you tomorrow in one month in one year for me will be difficult one day to be a coach or because I cannot I don't have I don't have passions for this generation it's difficult especially in the football because they don't take advice by our experience they can take but it's difficult they don't want yes they they think they know everything they think the phones they will give you a good education yes the tick-tock and Instagram and this is not real life they should know that because they're gonna suffer they're gonna suffer my kids gonna suffer your kids gonna suffer because one moment of the life they're gonna have pain you understand and the pain uncertainty and what they have to do it's constant work because nobody gonna help them they're gonna be themselves in a hard moment and they're gonna falling down they have to stand cry alone and keep going and this is why I I say my generation this new generation is difficult we have to be passion I love hearing about the mentality in the mindset of somebody who's played at the top for so long like yourself so take me into the Euro 2024 when you're crying on the pitch now you've had time to reflect when you was in there in that tournament and you were crying what was that like because you've got some people saying now why is he crying eyes his ego is this is that well what is the reasons behind it and how do you feel now about looking nothing and it's much more easy to criticize that appreciate what what you really have you know we know is the press all works if you speak good don't sell you have to speak bad is normal and if you speak about Cristiano you're coming in the first page is normal because I'm the most follow guy in the world it's not because only because of my pretty face but in everything you know why Christian is the number one follow in the world why what do you think many things goals football fees trophies family way lifestyle everything because people say why they follow because they in some way they like me you understand I think and they criticize all is gonna exist and it's part of the business for me this is is not a problem your question was in why you cry for example I speak last night about that when you have passion for what you're doing you cannot be worried about all your feelings if for example I cried the day that I missed the penalty which is I believe that all black be the fantastic safe okay but let's interpret it that I missed the penalty when I cry it's not because I cry because I felt that if I don't score that penalty and if Portugal will be eliminated they're gonna world will collapse on me not because of that real no it's people they don't know they don't know me it's imagine that the last 27 penalties you score you miss in that period you feel like bad from yourself you don't even think about that the people who come to the stadium your kids your mom your girlfriend everyone I felt sad because of that you think I'm will thinking I missed the penalty but Portugal gonna falling down on me they're gonna say that we felt because Christiana mr. but even think about that I swear to God I felt because I make pressure to myself you know me since with 11 years old I always make pressure to me Christiana you are the best player in the world in my mind I'm always thinking in that way and I put a lot of pressure to myself you have good sides when the things go good okay but when the things go wrong you feel that too because you make too much pressure to me I make pressure to me but I love that I know to deal with that but when I missed the penalty I felt bad with myself the fans family not because other stuff that people say that I is not that so you look into the crowd was it like your mom your kids exactly I know what that gets me emotional in the World Cup I cried during national anthem I heard my mom screaming and it all came like this moment what a moment and I special moment is the emotional moment so when you saw your mom exactly you have to express yourself you cannot hiding this kind of stuff for me if you're hiding you you you lie to yourself you have to be yourself doesn't matter if you people like or not you think I'm gonna change now our Christian itself is always I'm gonna change now you think with nearly 40 years old I'm gonna change of course oh you like me or you don't like me it's part of the life for me it's not a problem in the national team it was like that I people say ah he's done he's 39 he's getting old you know why because I didn't score the goal and and the rest and the past in qualifiers you scored like 10 goals 10 goals and before the Eros I scored two goals against Ireland but this is part real even even if I will score in Eros not we will change what Cristiano are gonna say people try to to hiding stuff and speak bother listen I don't know problem tomorrow I will play against the national team and I will try to score if I don't score I see when when people were talking about I was doing the TV and I see people talking about Portugal why why is Cristiano playing all the minutes why is he always he's on the pitch the whole time why doesn't the manager take him out what do you feel or what's your opinion on stuff like that like yes the critics all is gonna exist but the people forget one thing is a Christian I don't score goals I scored two goals I scored two goals imagine is that that rats if they miss one penalty during the game and we'll be the first shooting in a in a extra time the penalties kids to be the first one I scored two times I was the first one to show that I miss but I will I'm not gonna shy away I'm gonna be I'm gonna be here even if I miss I will shoot you understand and I you want is that what you're thinking about your teammates then they're thinking about I'm gonna show you listen confidence to give you confidence I'm real I'm always will be like that I'm never gonna shy away never never and you know me since young I'm not shy away I'm not that that scared ass that I have cramped which is is I understand some people they don't want to shoot penalty it's okay I respect that but Cristiano never will do that never even if I miss one time I will shoot the second time if I lose the second time I will shoot the third time I'm not afraid but always the people take the most the worst part not always the the good part if you ask me you you want to score during the game what I'm gonna do I'm gonna cry I'm gonna finish my career because some two rats criticize me the world the world love me the fans love me you understand and this is my motivation to carry on to play football people love me nobody gonna take my shine away because two guys from television that nobody knows who is them criticize me what were you missed oh man you're gonna have to give up this game one day I don't know you're you're the kind of a guy who wants to play for another four or five years yeah if you do that you deserve it but when you finally take your boots off for the last time what what we wanted a couple of things that you know I miss when I go into a stadium on the big moments I think that I'm not again I'm gonna miss I'm not gonna have the adrenaline that's gotta go or to be in a bit to be nervous you know to be and I think I'm gonna miss that because other parts I'm you know I'm in a good control if people are on me I have good business I have good things good incomes that but I think that there are no football never gonna exist well this is why I'm going a little bit farther than football because with forties you say I give everything you understand 40 or 41 or 40 what doesn't matter you say I give my body for 25 years of football I cannot give more because you know the age don't allowed to go more for that for example this is why I'm extend you understand my longevity and this is why I take care of myself of keep working because I know that two three years more I still can produce something good but after that I don't even want to think about that this is why I told you let me in the present I do it all the parts I've prepared my business area which is going very very very well I will be miss of course I will miss probably I will be a little bit lost but listen what I'm gonna do you think I'm gonna cry with all the life that I have yeah maybe a little bit because I'm become more sensitive but I will be a little bit like that but I have other things to worry another you're gonna be another chapter of my life which is a business part that I'm excited to and that will be a challenge for me and learn other areas that I really don't know be more involved in my business and I think we'll be we'll be good we'll be interesting and I will be prepared for that it's not even his first language you know I mean so he was just saying there he's like he finds it really difficult but it's so easy we got way more than we thought we was gonna get I'll be honest no it's nice he just leaves he's comfortable in his skin he's just he knows what he is he knows who he is I think we'll be back for a few more soon did you hear that he said he's gonna get a thousand fucking goals he said he said he's gonna get a thousand goals is he mad but you can't bet against him this guy that's the thing he says it is a gleam in his eye but I don't think there's many but you can't really bet against him because physically he looks he takes so much care himself so it's like he could play for three or four more years easy