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Cristiano Ronaldo finally addresses his Piers Morgan interview, insisting that he will NOT be silenced when he shows up unscheduled at Portugal’s press conference to beg the media to STOP asking his teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo shocked reporters at the World Cup after making an unexpected appearance at a press conference.
The striker – hoping to lead his country to victory in Qatar – defended his infamous Manchester United interview with Piers Morgan, in which he made numerous allegations and accusations against his club.
His interview has dominated the media, but he was quick to ask the world press to stop asking his teammates about it as he seems to be focusing on the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo has asked the media to stop asking his Portuguese teammates about his infamous interview
Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan has seemingly burned all his bridges at Manchester United
“Timing is always timing,” he said in his unscheduled appearance Monday morning. “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 worry about what others think.
‘I talk when I want. Everyone knows who I am, what I believe in.’
The 37-year-old also described himself as ‘bulletproof’ and ‘iron strong’.
Portugal’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Ghana in Group H on Thursday
Portugal’s World Cup campaign doesn’t begin until Thursday, when they take on Ghana in Group H, but much of the build-up has to do with speculation over Ronaldo’s club’s future, rather than his national team’s prospects.
Images of Ronaldo greeting Bruno Fernandes went viral
Many pointed to a seemingly icy greeting with United colleague Bruno Fernandes on his arrival at Portugal’s training camp as signs of friction within the training camp.
This particular incident was also discussed by Ronaldo on his impromptu show, explaining, ‘His plane was late – I asked him if you came by boat’.
Fernandes, United’s main captain this season, also denied there was any discord within the national team, adding: “I didn’t read the interview so I’m fine with that. Like I said before, now [it] is [the] national team, [it] is Portugal.
“I told 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’s still very much in his mind.
“The most important 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 the chance to play a World Cup very often.
“Cristiano is lucky to play five times, this will be his fifth time at the World Cup, so everyone is ready and everyone wants to give the best for the team.”
Ronaldo dismissed speculation about a rift in the national team, which Fernandes has echoed
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is looking to add the World Cup to his already stellar string of honours, having won the European Championship with his country in 2016 and likely taking part in his last tournament for his country.
It is the first time the 37-year-old has spoken openly about the interview – which was broadcast in parts on Wednesday and Thursday last week.
Sportsmail has also reported that United have started the legal process to tear up his £500,000-a-week contract with the club with the intention of not paying him a penny of the £16million he was due to earn before the end of June 2023.
This comes after his claims that the club have ‘betrayed’ him, and he admitted to having no respect for manager Erik ten Hag before criticizing the already unpopular owners, the Glazer family.
The 37-year-old criticized Erik ten Hag and the Glazer family, saying he was ‘betrayed’ by the club