Ronaldo Breaks Silence Over Explosive Interview after Impromptu Press Conference
- last year
Cristiano Ronaldo claims he is 'bulletproof' from criticism and doesn't 'care what other people think' as he stunned reporters at the World Cup in his first public address since his interview with Piers Morgan.
The forward - who is hoping to lead his country to glory in Qatar in what will be his last World Cup - has come out to defend his infamous interview, which tore into Manchester United.
Across a 90-minute sitdown with Morgan he made a number of allegations, revealed he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag and accused United of betraying him.
His interview dominated the media agenda in the lead-up to the World Cup, but he was quick to ask for the press to stop asking team-mates about it as he looks to focus on the tournament.
'Timing is always timing,' he said in his unscheduled appearance on Monday morning.
'From your side it is easy to look at how we can chose timings.
'Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don't have to worry what others think.
'I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in. They have known me [here] since I was 11.
'They will not be influenced by what people say and write about me.
'The atmosphere is excellent, no problems, we are completely focused. You can help by not talking about me. I'm completely bulletproof and iron-clad.
'If you ask other players about Cristiano Ronaldo I would be upset.
'If you want to ask him about the World Cup and the team, I would like you to do that.'
Portugal's World Cup campaign does not kick-off until Thursday, when they take on Ghana in Group H, but much of the build up has involved speculation on Ronaldo's club future, rather than his national team's prospects.
Many pointed to an apparently frosty greeting with United colleague Bruno Fernandes on his arrival at Portugal's training camp as signs of friction within the camp.
That particular incident was also addressed by Ronaldo on Monday as he said: 'We were just playing around - we have great relations.
'His plane was late and I asked him, "Did you come by boat?" I was goofing around.
'Same with [Joao] Cancelo. He was sad during practice. I said, "wake up, come on, you've got this!" Another controversy on your end.'
Fernandes - United's primary captain this season with Harry Maguire occupying a bench role - previously denied there was any rift within the national team, stating: 'I didn't read the interview, so I'm okay with that. As I said before, now [it] is [the] national team, [it] is Portugal.
'I said to him, the coach made a point that it's 'us', so he made that point since I came to the national team in 2017 I think, and that is still clear in his mind.
'The main thing here is the national team, and us, so we have to be focused on the World Cup because the World Cup doesn't come every time, you don't have a chance to play a World Cup many times.
'Cristiano is lucky to play it five times, this will be his fifth time in the World Cup, so everyone is ready for
The forward - who is hoping to lead his country to glory in Qatar in what will be his last World Cup - has come out to defend his infamous interview, which tore into Manchester United.
Across a 90-minute sitdown with Morgan he made a number of allegations, revealed he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag and accused United of betraying him.
His interview dominated the media agenda in the lead-up to the World Cup, but he was quick to ask for the press to stop asking team-mates about it as he looks to focus on the tournament.
'Timing is always timing,' he said in his unscheduled appearance on Monday morning.
'From your side it is easy to look at how we can chose timings.
'Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don't have to worry what others think.
'I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in. They have known me [here] since I was 11.
'They will not be influenced by what people say and write about me.
'The atmosphere is excellent, no problems, we are completely focused. You can help by not talking about me. I'm completely bulletproof and iron-clad.
'If you ask other players about Cristiano Ronaldo I would be upset.
'If you want to ask him about the World Cup and the team, I would like you to do that.'
Portugal's World Cup campaign does not kick-off until Thursday, when they take on Ghana in Group H, but much of the build up has involved speculation on Ronaldo's club future, rather than his national team's prospects.
Many pointed to an apparently frosty greeting with United colleague Bruno Fernandes on his arrival at Portugal's training camp as signs of friction within the camp.
That particular incident was also addressed by Ronaldo on Monday as he said: 'We were just playing around - we have great relations.
'His plane was late and I asked him, "Did you come by boat?" I was goofing around.
'Same with [Joao] Cancelo. He was sad during practice. I said, "wake up, come on, you've got this!" Another controversy on your end.'
Fernandes - United's primary captain this season with Harry Maguire occupying a bench role - previously denied there was any rift within the national team, stating: 'I didn't read the interview, so I'm okay with that. As I said before, now [it] is [the] national team, [it] is Portugal.
'I said to him, the coach made a point that it's 'us', so he made that point since I came to the national team in 2017 I think, and that is still clear in his mind.
'The main thing here is the national team, and us, so we have to be focused on the World Cup because the World Cup doesn't come every time, you don't have a chance to play a World Cup many times.
'Cristiano is lucky to play it five times, this will be his fifth time in the World Cup, so everyone is ready for