Cristiano Ronaldo made a surprise media appearance this morning in which he hit back at criticism over his explosive Manchester United interview with Piers Morgan, describing himself as ‘bulletproof’.
In the interview, which aired in full last week, Ronaldo claimed he disrespected Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and criticized the club for their lack of ambition.
United are reportedly exploring legal options to terminate the striker’s contractthe fallout causing a heavy distraction on the eve of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
In pictures | Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Ronaldo did not mention the national team, the timing of the interview’s publication raised eyebrows, although Portugal boss Fernando Santos insisted he did not expect that the saga will negatively affect his team’s chances.
“In my life, the best timing is always my timing. From your side, it’s easy to see how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to think about this what other people think I talk when I want.
“The players have known me very well for many years and know the type of person I am. It’s an ambitious, hungry and focused bunch. So I’m sure that (the interview) won’t shake the focus and the locker room focus.
Ronaldo appeared alongside United team-mate Bruno Fernandes, who dismissed suggestions of animosity between the pair after a video of an awkward handshake went viral on social media.
Fernandes claimed he was “playing fair”, explaining: “His plane was late – I asked him if you came by boat”.
Ronaldo missed last week’s warm-up friendly against Nigeria due to a stomach problem but has since returned to training and expects to be fit to face Ghana in the 2019 game. Portugal opening on Thursday.
“I feel good, recovered and training well and I’m ready to start the World Cup in the best possible way,” Ronaldo said. “I think this Portuguese team has incredible potential. I think we can win for sure, but we have to focus on the next game. So it’s all about focusing on Ghana, getting a win and go from there.
“We’ll see at the end which team is the best, but I think Portugal are the best team in this World Cup. But we have to show it on the pitch.
At 37, this will almost certainly be Ronaldo’s last World Cup and his last chance to lift the only trophy missing from his CV. Long-time rival Lionel Messi is in a similar position with Argentina, but Ronaldo has dismissed the idea that winning the tournament would end the debate over who is the greatest player of all time.
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