Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not care what people think of him in the wake of the fall-out from his bombshell interview.
Ronaldo is set to be sacked by Manchester United after trashing the club in an explosive interview and saying he has no respect for boss Erik ten Hag. Speaking at Portugal’s World Cup training base, Ronaldo said he was not bothered by the repercussions from his interview and said he speaks his mind when he wants.
"Timing is always timing,” said Ronaldo. “From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies.
“I don’t have to worry about what others think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in."
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to have his contract terminated by United for bringing the club into disrepute. United have begun the legal process of terminating his deal, which has seven months left to run and is worth £16million in wages to the 37-year-old.
Ronaldo urged the media not to ask his Portugal teammates about him and to focus instead on the Wold Cup, with the forward insisting he has nothing to prove.
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"If I had to demonstrate something at 37 years and 8 months, I would be worried,” said Ronaldo. “After what I've already done and won, it would be a surprise for me. Of course I have to demonstrate what I am year after year."
On his alleged frosty exchange with United and Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes, which was captured by TV cameras, Ronaldo played down any problem between them.
"I played a joke with Bruno, with whom I have an excellent relationship,” said Ronaldo. “His flight was delayed and I asked if he had come by boat. It was a joke, as it was with João Cancelo. He was a little sad, so I pulled him up."
Asked if winning the World Cup with Portugal would settle the debate over whether he or his great rival Lionel Messi is the best player of all-time, Ronaldo said: "No, I don't see things like that out there.
“Even if I won the World Cup, there would always be this debate. Some like me more, some less. It's like everything in life. It's normal."
"Will the World Cup be the most important competition? Yes, one of the most, it's a dream to win, but if we didn't win any more trophies I'd be proud.”
Asked if Portugal can win the World Cup, Ronaldo said: “I believe so. I have this feeling but we need to go slowly and think about the game with Ghana. It's going to be beautiful to see and this generation is good. I feel good, I'm already recovered and we've been doing good practice. I'm fine to start the World Cup in the best way.”
