Transcript: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Interview With Piers Morgan (Part 2)

We still feel the aura there in the national team. When you put the shirt, because Diogo, he was one of us.

PIERS MORGAN: What kind of guy was he?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Very good guy. A quiet guy, a good player, as you know, but very—how do you say—he’s not a guy that speaks too much. He was very level-headed. Yes, yes. I really liked to meet him, to share with him some great moments. But it was sad, sad.

I had the opportunity to speak with their family and to give support, because in this moment we cannot just…

PIERS MORGAN: Beautiful young wife and children.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Everything is gone because of one moment. So we have to enjoy the life, Piers. It’s hard.

The Funeral Decision

PIERS MORGAN: You didn’t attend his funeral and your sister responded to people who were sort of raising questions by saying on social media that you just didn’t want to turn the whole thing into an unnecessary circus with too much attention on you. Is that really what you were thinking?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Two things. People criticize me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that. Because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you know you don’t have to be worried about what the people say.

But one of the things that I don’t do—after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again. And second, as you say, and you mentioned well, you know me and you know my reputation. Wherever I go is a circus.

I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes to me. And I don’t want this kind of attention. And I saw—and I’m not criticizing, I just saw—I didn’t like it when you go in some sensitive moment to do interviews, speak about him, to speak about football. Come on, guys.

PIERS MORGAN: What…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: What is this? This show? How circus is life. Sometimes I’m not part of that. If you want to be part of this world, good luck. I’m going to be on another side.

People can continue to criticize me. They criticize. My bed is gone already. I felt good with my decision. I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me. I don’t want to speak good because Cristiano is coming. No, no.

I’m planning the things, I’m thinking about his family. I don’t need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do behind the scenes. My friends, I feel better than that. But they do it—it’s big propaganda and big publicity by my name. But it’s okay.

PIERS MORGAN: No problem.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I understand. And to change the conversation in a funny way—if you want to enjoy a birthday, don’t invite me. Because if I go to your birthday, it’s going to be a big mess.

PIERS MORGAN: No, no, that’s fine with me.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, don’t invite me. You’re going to enjoy. I’m going to have a big party without Cristiano. Trust me.

PIERS MORGAN: I turned 60 this year, and I’m going to…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Don’t invite me, please.

PIERS MORGAN: And I want you to come and ruin it. You can come and be the star of the show. The big dog’s here.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Don’t invite. You’re not going to enjoy.

PIERS MORGAN: No, I would.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You know why? Because the people, they’re going to say to your friends, “Listen, guys, Cristiano is coming.”

PIERS MORGAN: You don’t know my friends.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: “Don’t take pictures.”

PIERS MORGAN: You don’t know my friends.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: They’re going to drink two glasses of wine in the middle of the night. They’re going to say, “Oh, please take a picture with me.” Yeah, mess.

PIERS MORGAN: My friends drink a lot more than two glasses. Secondly, I will do anything for the Instagram, right? And you at my party, of course it’s going to blow up the Internet. I’ll take any circus you want to bring. It’s not a problem.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, I’m not going to be. You’re going to enjoy more, trust me, please.

The McDonald’s Reunion

PIERS MORGAN: The first interview we did in Turin, when you were at Juventus, you revealed a story which was really extraordinary. When you were like 13, you were so hungry at the Sporting Lisbon Academy that you and a friend would go to a local McDonald’s and you would hang around the back, and two ladies in the McDonald’s would give you free burgers.

And you were so grateful to them because you were so hungry, literally hungry. And we tried everything after that to find them. And then I heard that you were walking through an airport recently, and you randomly bumped into one of them. Tell me about that.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Well, it was a funny, funny story. I landed from Riyadh to Lisbon. When I took off there, we are in a private area. And one of my friends said, “Cristiano, look what I see here.” And I looked.

You know when you see some person and you recognize them straight away, even 20 years after? And I was with my kids and with Gio and everyone, and I gave a big hug to the girl. And even my kids said, “Daddy, what are you doing?” And also Gio looked at me and I told them the story.

And it was like a moment that I felt like, wow, life is a box of surprises. You never expect this moment. And it was good. And I spoke with my friends. We already know who the people are. And pretty soon I will do something special. I promise. When I say something, I try to promise, and I will do it 100%. And one of the persons was that girl we already have.

PIERS MORGAN: What did she say when she saw you? Does she know that she…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: A little bit in shock, because she never expected that I would recognize her. In the same way, when she saw me, she said, “Cristiano, maybe he’s not even going to speak with me.”

PIERS MORGAN: Did she realize you had been that boy who then…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes, she did. And she told me one thing. She said, “Cristiano, you never imagine—every time that you come to Portugal, I know, because I work behind the scenes and I plan to come here to receive you, just to see you. And they always make me apart.

And this moment, because one of the persons didn’t come, I replaced. This is why I came.” And I was so happy. I said, “Listen, this is life. Life is brilliant because of that.” And it’s all about moments, chapters and everything.

And I said to my friends to keep her number and we’re going to do something when I’m going to have time. I’m going to do something beautiful and special for those people who helped me in that period.

The Reunion with Jose Semedo

PIERS MORGAN: Amazing story. And what’s even more incredible is that your new CEO at Al Nassr…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: Is a guy called Jose Semedo. He’s standing right over there. And he was the other guy with you?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: Queuing up for the McDonald’s from those ladies. He was 13. You were 13. And he was telling me a story which says a lot about you, that he was actually going to be let go from the academy.

And you, age 13, went to see the head of the academy and you pleaded with him to keep your friend. And you added a fifth bed to a little dormitory of about four beds. It was very tight. You added a fifth bed and he allowed your friend to stay.

And he went on to become a professional footballer himself. Played in the Premier League, played in other leagues and came here and is now the new CEO of Al Nassr and apparently doing very well. I think he told me that, actually. But what an amazing journey you two have been on.

You both are age 40. When you were 14, you had no money, you were hungry, you were queuing for burgers. And now you’re here together, living the world.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: How brilliant.

PIERS MORGAN: Amazing.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Wow.

PIERS MORGAN: I love it.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Sometimes when I’m thinking and speaking about this kind of moment, I feel emotional, you know, because life is brilliant and God puts you in a place where you deserve. And I’m going to make a challenge for you. I think you should probably make an interview with him.

PIERS MORGAN: Yes.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Because you’re going to love it. He’s a very, very, very, very interesting guy.

PIERS MORGAN: I’ve already got the…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Not because he’s here with me, but—and he’s not CEO of Al Nassr because he’s my friend. No. He has huge potential. And everyone is surprised.

PIERS MORGAN: Not…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: It’s easy when you are around a friend for people to say that, but speak with other people, other ones, and they say the work that he does, the potential that he has. And one of the best qualities for me I will always put on the top—loyalty. Loyalty, honesty.

To not take anything which doesn’t belong to you. And these people are very rare in the world. Especially in football. Yeah. And especially when there’s a lot of money around. And you don’t buy these people in Carrefour or, you know, you don’t buy these people on Amazon. No, no, no, no.

So I challenge you to make an interview with him because it’s a very, very interesting part.

PIERS MORGAN: We’ve already discussed it and in fact we’re going to call it “The Truth About Cristiano: The Real Story. What He Doesn’t Want the World to Know.”

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Perfect. He’s going to go public with that story and all of it. But he can mention so many stories.

PIERS MORGAN: Good ones because he’s actually a fascinating guy.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: He’s a fascinating guy.

PIERS MORGAN: I know how important he’s been to you since you were 14. But he made it clear to me that without you he wouldn’t have stayed at the academy and he may never have played football professionally.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: So it’s been a… I just did my best. As you know, I’m a loyal guy too. So the loyal guy should be next to the loyal people.

PIERS MORGAN: And this is what I did that I think was supposed to be done. But I was 12 years old.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: It’s amazing my mind was like that. But I don’t know how to explain. You know, sometimes in life you do mistakes and you do good things that you don’t even realize what is correct and what is false.

But I did what I think was correct, and not because in that moment—of course in that moment I liked him. But not like now. Now it’s like part of my family. I don’t need to say that, but I’m telling you as well, Piers, my people around me, they are fantastic people. I’m lucky. I’m lucky.

Ronaldo on His Inner Circle

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Not just tomato, because tomato one of the best. But also I have other people on my team. He’s a good, special guy. But I have, I have. I’m lucky. I’m lucky. But also the lucky to have lucky. It brings efforts. You need efforts.

And many of the guys with me, it’s the guys that are inviting to come to be next to me. It’s not like the family family you born with that family friends or people who worked with you or with you. They are different. Sometimes you need to choose.

PIERS MORGAN: I call it the 4am Club. And what I mean is 4am Club. Who could you call? Who could you call at 4am?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Okay.

PIERS MORGAN: And they would get out of bed and they come and help these people. I know, I know you guys and they’re fantastic. Incredibly loyalty and very protective. Rightly, yeah. But I think they feel the same about you. And that’s what’s unusual. They have great respect for you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: What we take from this life, it’s family and friends, you know, relationships, chapters, whatever you have, if you don’t have good people around you, you’re not going to be happy. So this is what I think and I repeat, I have, I’m a lucky guy that not because I have good family, but I also have very, very, very good friends.

Not just because they call, they work for me, I call them my friends because anyway, they are friends. Even if they want other challenge, I’m never going to close that door. But all they always will be my friends. So for me it’s, it’s a bless.

Fitness and Physical Conditioning

PIERS MORGAN: Tell me about your fitness because people look good. You’re looking very good. I mean, obviously you haven’t got these abdominals, we’ve addressed that before, but you’re working at it and I think you’re making good progress. They’re pretty. Are they like. Do you mind if I just. Yeah, it’s like hitting granite. Not quite the same. Not quite the same here, but they say you’ve got a body of like a 28 year old. That’s what I’ve read, but that’s what your. I wish your team all think. Right. Do you feel that? I mean, do you feel that you don’t look 40 and you don’t have the physique of a 40 year old?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, I’m not physically, I think I look much more younger, of course, because I start to do it gym since 12, 13, 14, 15.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you go every day? Do you do something every day?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, not every day, but I try to maintain a consistency in my life.

PIERS MORGAN: But do you do something every day? Do you do something physical?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I sleep good, I do it good routines. I do it a good recover. I work good in the gym two, three times per week of weight. Two times per week for me is enough. I burn because of football. You know, it’s just consistence. If you have consistence, it’s easy, trust me.

Athletes Who Inspire

PIERS MORGAN: Which athletes in modern history do you look at as great examples that maybe have inspired you in terms of the way they take care of themselves?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Inspiring me.

PIERS MORGAN: Inspiring you?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah, inspiring by myself.

PIERS MORGAN: Who have you looked at what you think?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I saw good examples in other sports as well. For example, I don’t know basketball. LeBron James. I think we are the same age.

PIERS MORGAN: I met him the other day, very nice guy.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I have more hair than him.

PIERS MORGAN: You do. And he’s earning golf, but he’s not very good. Now’s a good time to play him.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: At goal, but I think it’s it’s good because he still, he still play football, basketball, and he’s in a good shape. Other ones, Modric, still looking good.

PIERS MORGAN: Yeah. Was he 41 now? Modric?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, he’s my age, I think 39, 40s. Djokovic.

PIERS MORGAN: So Novak is here. He’s playing in this, in the Six Kings thing. And he said yesterday you’re one of his role models. He named you for wanting to continue playing into his 40s because they all say, look, now that Sinner and Alcaraz are kind of the new top guys, will you retire? And he’s like, actually, I want to keep going. I want to keep proving to myself I can keep going. And he named you as the example, so you’re inspiring him. That probably feels good, right? To inspire the greatest tennis player in history.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I think it’s. It’s good when you have other sports, other people, they speak good about your name. It means a lot. And Novak is a great example of greatness in sport. So it’s good. I’m glad from his words.

Evolution as a Goal Scorer

PIERS MORGAN: Do you feel now obviously you’re probably not as quick as you were. So initially you were a winger, a flying winger. So you changed your position, the way you play football and so on. But do you think as an actual goal scorer, because your record for Portugal recently has been insane. You’ve obviously been scoring enormous number of goals here in Saudi Arabia and Your record since 30 has got better than it was in the previous period of your career. But do you think you’re a better natural finisher now than you’ve ever been?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I think I’ve always been a good. A top finisher. I think probably more. I’m focused more on that because as you mentioned, by the age you start to lost some things and you have to improve other things and some things that you always can improve is mentally. And this is what I’m focused to be mentally good, fresh.

Because the brain don’t go faster. You not get older faster in the brain more you feel more physically. I mean, professional players. And I am, I’m adapt, you know, and this is. But finisher, finisher. Of course, with the first three, four, five years, I’m not. Wasn’t very, very, very good. I was good, but not top. But after 25, I think I was very similar. If you ask my teammates, if you ask my friends, they will say the same probably more now I’m more focused on that because I’m not winger anymore and I played the last.

PIERS MORGAN: Well, I watched you score the other day and it’s just your movement. Because I think in the penalty area, look, I’m not going to tell you how to score goals, but in the penalty area, a lot of it is last minute movement. I think by the top strikers, it’s their ability to get away from a defender very quickly in the box. Should be fresh mentally. Right. And I watched the way you took them and they look relatively easy, right? They don’t look like that goal you just showed me. But the movement and the awareness and then the finish, that’s not easy. If it was, everyone would do it.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Of course.

PIERS MORGAN: So that’s an instinctive thing, isn’t it?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I think so, yes. Instinctive things you learn by the time, you learn by the experience. And one thing that I think make the difference is you can improve all the time. Even with my age, give some points that you can improve. And this is the biggest mistakes of the players. They think they know everything and they don’t learn more.

If you see an instrument of the football, the players after, when they get 30s, they slow down. And I’m opposite. I scored more goals after 30. And you can say whatever they want because most of the times the people speak about football, they don’t know nothing.

The Messi Debate and Wayne Rooney

PIERS MORGAN: Wayne Rooney, your old colleague, said last week that he doesn’t hate you. People have said he did. He loves you. He called you a genius. He said you’re much closer than people realize. But he still said Messi’s better.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No problem, no problem.

PIERS MORGAN: That’s a very diplomatic answer, Christian.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, but serious. I’m not mad with that. For me it’s okay. You can choose whatever you want.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you get on well with Wayne? Do you have a friendship with him or not really.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: When we used to play, we are good relationship, not friends like me. That kind of friends that the relationship that I have with these guys, they coming one time per week or two to have a dinner with me or lunch. But we have good relationship in football. I don’t have a friend that they come in my house for a lunch or a dinner. When I mean friends. I have good relationship. But friends, friends for me. It’s a different word for me.

But relationship was good. Like Ferdinand was a friend. Yes, I still maintain his relationship with him. You know, I’m a social sociable man, so. And I respect. It’s like in Almasad. I’m good with everybody. But friend, friend, I think it’s a very, very, very deep word in my opinion.

But I’m not nothing against him, trust me, Piers, it’s okay if it’s on things is what he loved the most, players or decision makers of. For me, it’s not a problem. You know, I respect him. I respect him more when we play because I think he. He did so many good things for Manchester United. We win, we won so many things together, but it’s okay.

And this words that he say, thank you to him, that he say that I’m a genius, whatever he preferred, done. No problem, no problem. For me, it’s all good. If I see him around, I’m shaking his hand, I give you a hug. For me, it’s not a problem. I don’t have time, you know, to be against people anymore. It’s okay. I respect everybody.

Defending the Saudi League

PIERS MORGAN: But goals are the ultimate answer to any criticism, aren’t they? I mean, if you’re a striker, if you just keep scoring at the rate you score and like I said, they can look at the Saudi league and say it’s not as good, but it actually look at Portugal is what I say. Look at your record for Portugal. Recently it’s been off the charts.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Excuses.

PIERS MORGAN: Yeah, excuses.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: It’s the most simple way for everything. Excuses, excuses, excuse. Year by year, year by year, I scored more. Even in a bad year, I scored 25 goals. If I play in Premier League now, in the top team, I will score the same.

PIERS MORGAN: Or the last season you play last full season.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Easy. If you have a good team with 14 years old, I will score the same.

PIERS MORGAN: Your last season in the Premier League, full season, you got 18 Premier League goals. I think one below Harry Kane or the same as Harry Kane. And six Champions League goals. Well, any team would take us.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I don’t need to speak because they can say whatever they want. But the numbers they don’t like. They can say Saudi League. They never been here, they never play here. They don’t know what to run with. 40 degrees they don’t know. And I still continue. And I repeat, the Saudi League, the Saudi League is much better than Portuguese league. Of course, French league is only PSG. Premier League is good. Of course, it’s the number one.

And they should count even they should count like the goals to be the top scorer, the Golden Ball. Why they don’t count? Saudi League, Why? You see, look how many players, top players we have in the league. Check. Ask the other players if the league is good. Don’t ask to me because it’s easy to ask me because I’m always saying that. Because he play in Saudi. No, no, listen. I play everywhere, everywhere. For me it’s more easy to score in Spain. Than score in Saudi, by the way.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you accept that you’re only here because of me and that interview?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Probably.

PIERS MORGAN: So given you’re now a billionaire, you made probably half of it here.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I wasn’t. I wasn’t.

PIERS MORGAN: Where’s my car? Where’s my commission?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah.

The Thousand Goal Milestone and World Cup Dreams

PIERS MORGAN: You’re on the verge of what would be a truly, even by your standards, incredible achievement. A thousand goals. No one’s ever come close to this. Is there a scenario in your head, even the timing, that you might score your thousandth goal at the World Cup next year? And is that something that quietly in your back of your mind, you would think?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No, I’m not. I don’t think about that. And maybe I was surprised with my answer. If you ask me, Christine, is it dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream. Really?

PIERS MORGAN: Yes.

The World Cup Debate

CRISTIANO RONALDO: To win the World Cup. None will change my name in football. I’m not going to lie. One thing that I’m sure is that I’m enjoying the moment. And I learned by the time that the moment is the most important thing that we have. We are not qualified already. Enjoy the moment. The moment is good.

I played three days ago in Hungary and in Sporting Stadium. Maybe it was my last game in that stadium. We never know. And I enjoyed it. My mommy was there, my family was there, and it was good. And people say “Cristiano will be the greatest if they win the World Cup.” I’m not agreeing. I win three titles for Portugal.

PIERS MORGAN: You know my view of this? I believe you are the greatest footballer to ever play the game.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you.

PIERS MORGAN: You also know there’s a raging debate, right? Whether Messi is. I say Messi is not even the best Argentinian. Maradona was better than him.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: How many World Cups win Argentina before Messi? How many? I don’t know.

PIERS MORGAN: Two times. Yeah, maybe two, I think.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah, but it’s normal. These countries that used to win big competitions, Brazil, if they win the World Cup, they will surprise the world. No. If Portugal win the World Cup, which is possible, they will shock the world. Yes. But in my mind, I don’t think in that way. Of course you want to win. Yeah. When you compete, you want to win. I’m honest. For me, it’s not going to change the way I see the things and the way I see the football.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you believe you’ve earned the right to be considered the greatest of all time?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Of course. One of the best for many people. Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: But number one, peace.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I don’t care about that anymore. Serious.

PIERS MORGAN: Really?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I say so many things, I see so many interviews where I think if I say something now, the people not going to surprise. This story speak for itself. They have opinions. Some people like more blonde, some people like more dark. It’s okay. No problem for me. But to change this story, the history of Portugal to say “Cristiano will the World Cup will be.” No, this is, it doesn’t make sense for me.

PIERS MORGAN: I win.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: We won three titles for Portugal history. Before, Portugal never won nothing. I’m glad. I’m so happy.

PIERS MORGAN: You would love it, Cristiano, to win the World Cup. Yeah, but not a session. No, I just understand what you’re saying.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I swear for my kids.

PIERS MORGAN: I still think that image of you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I don’t agree. I’m not agree.

PIERS MORGAN: Really?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes. No, I must agree because Portugal never won World Cup. Yeah, but they can win. Yes, we’re going to fight for that.

PIERS MORGAN: But it shouldn’t define you as a player.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No. We define with 14 years old or 41 to define what to define. If I’m one of the best of history to win one competition, six games, seven games. You think it’s fair? It’s not fair.

Beckham, Looks, and Legacy

PIERS MORGAN: When you go to the World Cup in America, David Beckham is the sort of most, along with Messi now. But Beckham’s the kind of guy that went to America and became this sort of superstar. You play with Beckham, you’re compared to Beckham a lot. Not least your looks. I’m not going to compare the football because to me, he’s not in the same league as you as a footballer. However, do you think you’re better looking than David Beckham?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Depends.

PIERS MORGAN: Are you more handsome?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Depend. Depends. Because for me, the looking is not only the face. The looking is all packaged like this. If you put me, not anymore, but imagine Cristiano. Yeah, not Cristiano. A normal guy with the Speedos. Red Speedos in Copacabana to drink coconut water. You think I’m not going to have chance with nobody?

PIERS MORGAN: No, you’re going to do well.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Okay?

PIERS MORGAN: So you’re going to do better. You’re going to do better than me. I can actually confirm. You can do better than me. I’ve been up with Copacabana. Nobody noticed. I can’t confirm.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I’m joking.

PIERS MORGAN: You’re not really.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Depend of the perspective of the people. But it’s okay. You’re looking good, I’m looking good. We’re both looking good.

PIERS MORGAN: So come on, you and Beckham, you’re walking across the Copacabana for say, 10 minutes. Who gets the most attention?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Not famous.

PIERS MORGAN: Not famous. Just your body.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Me 100%. I knew it.

PIERS MORGAN: I knew you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Come on, P. I agree with you. You agree? Thank you.

PIERS MORGAN: Just trying to tease it out of it.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you. Yeah, I don’t need that.

PIERS MORGAN: But imagine something no one’s looking at back at this. Come on.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Come on. You know that he does. His face is beautiful. Yeah. And some face.

PIERS MORGAN: The rest is.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: The rest is normal. It’s normal. I’m not normal. I’m perfecto.

PIERS MORGAN: Also, he has too many tattoos, doesn’t he? Don’t you think?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I don’t know.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you think he should have that tattoos? I think he’s covered in tattoos. Absolutely covered him well.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: But he’s looking good. He’s a guy that I like it. He’s a guy who speak good. I like him. I like him.

Sir Alex Ferguson

PIERS MORGAN: Do you still talk to Sir Alex Ferguson? I met him at the Champions League final.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I was there in Manchester. I used to speak more with him and he used to come to my house for a tea. He drink tea with the milk. He’s a good man. The person that I’m always going to have in my heart because he’s a source. His person really helped me in my life, in my career.

PIERS MORGAN: I mean, really. I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but was he, because your father died when you were still very young, do you think he became a bit of a father figure?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Father in football? Yes. Yeah. Like a guy who guide me. Yes. In that way. Yes. Was a guy who always maintain his words. What we say, he promise. Very good man and I respect him a lot.

PIERS MORGAN: Best manager you played under. You’ve had so many.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: What I say by the players, I’m kind of saying in the coaches, which is depend. I had the opportunity to work with the best managers in the world. So I’m a lucky person. To mention one for me is not correct, not fair. Many people mention “ah, my favorite play, this is this one.” I’m not that guy. I like to say that all of them help Cristiano to be where I am right now.

President Trump and World Peace

PIERS MORGAN: President Trump, friend of mine, was given a CR7 shirt by the Portuguese European Council president Antonio Costa in June at the G7 summit. And you wrote on it “to President Donald J. Trump, playing for peace.” What did you mean by that?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: If the world is in peace, it’s our goal. He’s one of the guys that can change or help to change the world. And this is my main goal. He’s one of the, listen, one of the most important guys. Of course is US President. If we can help each other to make this happen, because I swear I can’t watch TV because of…

PIERS MORGAN: It’s been awful.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I don’t watch. I swear I can’t. Sometimes I start to see the news to be. I can’t, I can’t. And one of the guys is one of the guys that I want to meet. I wish one day, if you have…

PIERS MORGAN: I can make that happen.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Make that happen. Or tell him that one of the guys that I want to see to have a nice talk, it was one of the guys.

PIERS MORGAN: Donald Trump.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Donald Trump. Here us, whatever he wants. I know he was here in Saudi with our boss MBS. I wish one day to meet him, to sit with him because he’s really got. He’s one of the person that I really like him because I think he can make things happen and I like people like that.

PIERS MORGAN: I mean, I say whatever you think of Trump and people have very strong idea about you as well. But I think that he believes in peace, not war. It makes him unusual for a Republican American president. I’ve spoken to him many times. He really wants peace and I admire what he’s achieved in stopping the bombing in Gaza. I admire what he’s trying to do in Ukraine with Putin trying to stop the bombing. I think these are admirable things for him to be doing. And following what you said to him, I think he’s trying to deliver on what you asked.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I wish that world goes for a peace way soon. This is what I’m looking for. And I will tell them something very, nobody knows this, but maybe one day if you have the opportunity, I’m going to sit with him and I’m going to tell him probably, probably no, 100%. You don’t know that we had something in common and something that we share.

PIERS MORGAN: Really?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes. Not in your interview. I will tell you.

PIERS MORGAN: You can’t take a ca.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Very nice. You’re going to like it. You’re going to like it.

PIERS MORGAN: Really?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: How fascinating.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Fascinated. Christian is a worldwide man.

PIERS MORGAN: Oh, I know that.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah, yeah. Now more than before. But you know what you’ve done with 18s, 19s, 20s. I were there. I was there in US so many times. So.

PIERS MORGAN: But this is like taking a camel to the edge of an oasis. But it was funny and then saying you can’t have a drink.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You will like it.

PIERS MORGAN: It’s torture. I love this.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: If you have opportunity one day, tell him.

PIERS MORGAN: Well, his son Baron’s a big fan of yours. He told me that.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah.

PIERS MORGAN: He’s fat. He loves you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Good. His son is coming as well.

PIERS MORGAN: Oh, yeah. Okay. Will we get Baron, Donald? Obviously, I’ll have to be there.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: If you want to be, say hello.

PIERS MORGAN: I’ll come as your assistant. Perfect. That would be an amazing. I think we can make that happen. I think he’d love to meet him.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Perfect.

The Most Famous Person in the World

PIERS MORGAN: You’re the two most famous people on the planet, right? You’re the most followed person on Instagram. He is the most famous poppy human being.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: We’ll do it. A debate for the world. Who is the most famous, me or Donald Trump? President Donald Trump in the world.

PIERS MORGAN: What do you think? Me? Really? Well, you’ve got more followers on Instagram. You’ve got more followers than anybody, I think worldwide. Yeah.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Even in that small island. And they know me more than him.

PIERS MORGAN: Really? Yes. That’s a fascinating debate. You think you’d win that?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: You probably would. You probably would.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I think in the world. In the world, nobody’s more famous than me.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you think anyone there because of social media?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Tell me one.

PIERS MORGAN: Well, I’m going to.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Tell me one.

PIERS MORGAN: Your opinion. In my opinion, in my life, this.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Generation now, this right now, 2025, right.

PIERS MORGAN: Now, you and Donald Trump both together. I think it’s a very interesting debate. I would say in my lifetime, I would add Princess Diana, probably the Queen.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: But because they’re no longer with us.

PIERS MORGAN: Right. But in my lifetime. And maybe Nelson Mandela, right, would be the most famous iconic people.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: But I think right now, Michael Jackson.

PIERS MORGAN: Michael Jackson at his peak.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: And his peak.

PIERS MORGAN: But I think right now it’s you and Donald Trump. That’s.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: It’s a good debate.

PIERS MORGAN: It’s a great debate.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You’re pretty. Let’s make that happen.

PIERS MORGAN: I think that’d be great.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You see, now it’s just the map of…

PIERS MORGAN: Yeah, the world. Have you ever been anywhere where no one’s recognized you?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: 20 years ago, yes. Not anymore.

The Price of Global Fame

PIERS MORGAN: But not now. Is there any way you could go? Could you go to like an igloo in Iceland and even they know you, right?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yes.

PIERS MORGAN: Do you like that?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No. It is what it is.

PIERS MORGAN: I’d quite like that.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: No peace.

PIERS MORGAN: No.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: It’s boring.

PIERS MORGAN: Trust me. It’s too much. It’s boring.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Yeah, too much.

PIERS MORGAN: You can be too boring. You can be too famous.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I wish to not be so famous. Really?

PIERS MORGAN: Really, really. It’s boring.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Trust me.

PIERS MORGAN: But if I said to you, “All right, Cristiano, you can have all the success as a footballer you’ve had, but you’re going to have no fame.”

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Oh, I will sign.

PIERS MORGAN: You would?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Of course. Of course. Of course. Of course. Hundred percent.

PIERS MORGAN: Fascinating.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: One hundred percent. I never want to be famous. Never. I want to have success. I knew it since the beginning when I was young, that I will be a, let’s say, a star. But to be so famous, I never, never, never want it.

PIERS MORGAN: It’s boring.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Trust me. But it is what it is. I was born in that way.

PIERS MORGAN: You’re the most famous and the richest and most successful footballer in history. Not bad, Cristiano.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you, Piers.

Future Interviews and White House Dreams

PIERS MORGAN: Brilliant to catch up with you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: I wish, I wish. Listen, don’t do an interview with me in three years. I want less. Okay, less. But before you will do an interview with my CEO. No, no.

PIERS MORGAN: Definitely no. I think it would be a great interview. I totally agree. Your story together is unbelievable, and I will do that. And I think my next interview with you could be…

CRISTIANO RONALDO: And we can do something. Imagine me, you, Mr. Trump.

PIERS MORGAN: Yes.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: In one table.

PIERS MORGAN: Yes.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Will be fun.

PIERS MORGAN: I think this is a great idea.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Different.

PIERS MORGAN: Yes.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Like around the White House will be even better.

PIERS MORGAN: Why not?

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You’ve got to imagine.

PIERS MORGAN: I haven’t even got to buy a ticket. No problem. I’ll come with you.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Something different. Beautiful. Good conversation.

PIERS MORGAN: I think you would love it. I mean, to promote the World Cup in his country. What could be better? Oh, look, I’m going to make this happen.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Something. Okay, perfect.

PIERS MORGAN: But make sure if I do make it happen, you don’t cut me out. All right.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You are part of the family.

PIERS MORGAN: We have a deal.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: You know that.

Closing Remarks

PIERS MORGAN: Cristiano, great to see you very much. Send my best to all the family.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you. Thank you.

PIERS MORGAN: And congrats on the forthcoming marriage.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you.

PIERS MORGAN: That’s a big moment for a man.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you.

PIERS MORGAN: And if you need a best man, you know where to find me. Okay. I’m good with speeches.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Thank you, guys.

PIERS MORGAN: Take care.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Perfect.

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