Cristiano Ronaldo:Manchester City wanted me – criticism of the media

“TalkTV” interview

According to his own statements, Cristiano Ronaldo almost switched to Manchester City last year. “It was tight, it was tight. They wanted me,” assured the former world footballer in his controversial interview with the British broadcaster.TalkTV‘, the first part of which was broadcast on Wednesday evening. City coach Pep Guardiola courted him, Ronaldo said.

In the end, his past at Manchester United was the deciding factor for a return to the English record champions. “Your heart, your feeling, the story you have experienced before makes the difference,” said the Portuguese. In addition, a conversation with club icon Sir Alex Ferguson influenced his decision. “He said: ‘It’s impossible for you to go to Manchester City.’ I said, ‘Okay, boss.’”

In the well-received interview, Ronaldo shared against United, coach Erik ten Haag, his predecessor Ralf Rangnick and some ex-colleagues. The 37-year-old said he felt betrayed by United. Excerpts from the conversation were already known in advance. The second part of the interview will be broadcast on Thursday. Man United announced on Monday that they would first analyze all the facts before reacting to them. Ronaldo, who tried to change in the summer, no longer seems to have a future at Man United.

The most important statements from part 1 of the interview: Cristiano Ronaldo about …

… the lack of progress at Manchester United:

“Right now it’s a club that’s not at the highest level. I hope they can be again in the future. They haven’t moved, it’s as if the clock has stopped. When I signed for United I expected something to have changed. I spent nine years at Madrid, then at Juve…but I was surprised for the worse. Everything was still the same, the technology, everything. That surprised me.”

… the lack of attitude of young professionals today:

“I don’t think they disrespect the more experienced players or the older players, but they live in a different era. I can say that my child who is twelve years old has a different mentality than me. (…) I think it’s easier for them, everything is simple, they don’t suffer – and they don’t care. (…) I don’t just mean a few players at Manchester United, but in all teams in all leagues in the world. The youngsters are no longer the same as they were in my generation. But you can’t blame them because it’s part of life and their generation, it’s the new technologies that distract them. They listen to you, but that’s why we have two ears, because it goes in one and out the other. (…) I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I always looked up to the best players like van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Giggs. That’s why I’ve had the success and the longevity. I take care of my body, my mentality, my head because I saw these guys and I learned from them.”

… teammate Diogo Dalot, whom he singles out as a positive example at Manchester United:

“I have no doubt that he will have a long career. He’s young, smart, intelligent and he’s very professional.”

… his role as a role model for young players:

“I’m not the type to give advice, I’d rather be a role model. Because I’m a role model. I’m there every morning and I’m usually the first. That’s why I say I like to set a good example.”

I’m a fruit that people want to bite.

… his opinion on former coach Ralf Rangnick:

“They brought in a sporting director, Ralf Rangnick, as manager. Was it a ridiculous decision? Naturally. Deep down, I never saw him as a boss. I had never heard of him. That’s something I don’t understand. It’s the new coaches coming in, they think they’ll find the last Coca Cola in the desert. Football was invented many, many years ago.”

… about his relationship with coaches in general:

“I respect every coach, every different approach, different opinions, different mentality, but on some points you don’t agree. It’s always like that in life. Also with the best coaches in the world: Zidane and Ancelotti, Mourinho, Fernando Santos, Allegri… So I have some experience because I learned from them. And when you see some coaches coming in who want to reinvent football, I don’t agree, I have my opinion. It’s part of the business because at the end of the day it’s me who’s at a club to win. And with my experience I want to help. As always, there are some coaches who don’t accept that, it’s part of the job.”

… the support of the fans after the death of his son:

“I never, ever expected anything like this. Never. Now I have the opportunity to say to the English community: Thank you for everything, it helped me a bit… I also received a letter from the royal family and I was very surprised. That’s why I say I really respect the English community, the English people because they’ve been very kind to me. And at this difficult time in my life, they were great. Thank you for the way you treated me and my family during this difficult time.”

… about his dealings with the media, the public and criticism:

“The press wants to put me on the front page. I’m used to living like this because I’m 37 years old and I’ve studied. When you’re at the bottom of the wave, it’s different than when you’re at the top of the wave. Then you notice and see things that you haven’t seen before… That means I also appreciate having bad moments to recognize which people are really on my side and which people are just looking for criticism. They don’t like to see successful people and are just trying to bring in negativity. And I’ve felt for the past four or five months that not only me but also my family is still being criticized by the press… Sometimes I don’t understand why. Even the Portuguese press criticizes me a lot and I don’t understand it. (…) But I still think that jealousy is a reason. (…) I know that I’ve been at the top for 21 years. I don’t like to read, they lie, the press is garbage, not all, but many. They lie about me and my family all the time. Why should I read this? (…) I prefer to take care of the people who like me. I don’t waste time because of people who don’t like me. I think it’s a waste of time, these people are not interesting in my life.”

… his high number of followers in the social networks:

“Not just because I’m good at football, I think the rest is relevant, you have to be charismatic. I think looking good helps too. I don’t know the real reason, but I’m a fruit that people want to bite. Which fruit? Let’s say a strawberry. I don’t know how to put it in English, but it’s a fruit that everyone wants to bite.”

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