Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence in Man United interview in shock press conference appearance

C ristiano Ronaldo this morning made a surprise media appearance in which he hit back at criticism over his explosive Manchester United interview with Piers Morgan, describing himself as “bullet-proof”.

In the interview, which aired in full last week, Ronaldo claimed he does not respect Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and criticised the club over a lack of ambition.

United are reportedly exploring legal options in order to terminate the forward’s contract, with the fallout causing heavy distraction on the eve of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

In Pictures | Cristiano Ronaldo 1 /68 In Pictures | Cristiano Ronaldo REUTERS Manchester United Manchester United via Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United poses with Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after signing his contract with the club at Carrington Training Ground Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United training session Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag chats with Christiano Ronaldo of Manchester United during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Manchester United and Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford Getty Images Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo scores his team's third goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F football match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on June 15, 2021 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo holds the cup after Juevntus won the final of the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) football match Atalanta vs Juventus at the Citta del Tricolore stadium in Reggio Emilia. AFP via Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium on 15th June 2018 in Sochi, Russia Getty Images Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the Premier League trophy in 2009 Man Utd via Getty Images Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts The UEFA Champions League trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final vs Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson greets Cristiano Ronaldo as the young Portugese player signs for Manchester United at the Carrington Training Ground, Carrington on August 12, 2003 i Man Utd via Getty Images The ID card of local football association in Funchal of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo provided by Andorinha local Football Club AFP/Getty Images Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball in front of Argentinian Marcos Charras during their match of the 31th International Under-21 soccer tournament on 15th June 2003 at Mayol stadium in Toulon Getty Images A portrait of Cristiano Ronaldo during the Manchester United official photo-call at Old Trafford on 11th August 2003 Man Utd via Getty Images Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo sign for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United in 2003 Manchester United PLC Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with Cristiano Ronaldo at the training session at the Dragon stadium in Porto on 24 February 2004 AFP/Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Haidar Abdul Razzaq of Iraq compete in the men's football preliminary match between Iraq and Portugal during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Pampeloponnisiako Stadium on 12th August 2004 in Patras, Greece Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United poses with the Carling Cup trophy in the dressing room after the Carling Cup Final match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at The Millennium Stadium on 26th February 2006 in Cardiff, Wales Man Utd via Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo gives a sly wink to the Portugal bench after England's Wayne Rooney was sent off during their World Cup quarter-final in Germany BBC Cristiano Ronaldo (C) of Manchester United heads the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21, 2008 in Moscow, Russia. Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United holds the trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on 21st May 2008 in Moscow, Russia Getty Images New Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo is presented to a full house at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on 6th July 2009 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo officially launches his CR7 by Cristiano Ronaldo underwear line with a private event in Madrid on October 31, 2013 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Junior watch Rafael Nadal of Spain against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in their third round match during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 8, 2014 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Real Madrid'S Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their fourth goal from the penalty spot during the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid lifts the Champions league trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio da Luz on May 24, 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal Getty Images Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and model Cara Delevingne are seen in the pitlane before the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco on 24th May 2015 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo poses with models as he unveils his debut fragrence 'Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy' at a launch party on 9th September 2015 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid receives the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the player of the year during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014 at the Kongresshaus on 12th January 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland Getty Images Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his fourth Golden Boot Award as highest goal scorer of European leagues at The Westin Palace Hotel on 13th October 2015 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images General view of the CR7 Museum of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal Getty Images Portugese forward Cristiano Ronaldo poses next to a wax statue representing himself during a visit to the new location of the CR7 museum dedicated his professional career at Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira AFP/Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after missing a penalty during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group F match between Portugal and Austria at Parc des Princes in Paris Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy after his side win 1-0 against France during the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France Getty Images Portugal's Eder, Pepe,Ricardo Quaresma, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Patricio pose with the trophy as they celebrate after beating France during the Euro 2016 final football match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris on 10th July 2016 AFP/Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal balances the Henri Delaunay trophy on his head to celebrate after his team's 1-0 win against France in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal with team mate Gareth Bale during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on 29th October 2016 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid arrives for his press conference after signing a new five-year contract with the Spanish club at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on 7th November 2016 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Real Madrid and Portugal's forward and winner of The Best FIFA Mens Player of 2016 Award Cristiano Ronaldo poses with partner Georgina Rodriguez (2L), his sisters Elma Aveiro (2R) and Katia Aveiro (L), his Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro (R) and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr on stage following The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 ceremony on 9th January 2017 in Zurich AFP/Getty Images Gianluigi Buffon, Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar pose for a selfie as they are named The Fifa FifPro World XI during The Best FIFA Football Awards Show on October 23, 2017 in London Getty Images A bust of Cristiano Ronaldo is seen before the ceremony to rename Funchal Airport as Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in Funchal, Portugal on 28th March 2017 Reuters Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his five Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or) trophies prior to start the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 9th December 2017 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo swaps Real Madrid for Juventus after winning a fifth Champions League trophy of his career. Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo adds a second international trophy in four years as Portugal win the inaugural Nations League. Getty Images Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo REUTERS Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Images Manchester United via Getty Imag

While Ronaldo did not make mention of the national team, the timing of the interview’s release has raised eyebrows, though Portugal boss Fernando Santos insisted he did not expect the saga to negatively effect his side’s chances.

“In my life, the best timing is always my timing. 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 think about what other people think. I speak when I want.

“The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am. It’s an ambitious group that is hungry and focused. So I’m sure (the interview) won’t shake the changing room’s concentration and focus.”

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Ronaldo appeared alongside United teammate Bruno Fernandes, who rejected suggestions of animosity between the pair after a video of an awkward-looking handshake went viral on social media.

Fernandes claimed he was “just playing around”, explaining: “His plane was late - I asked him did you come by boat”.

Ronaldo missed last week’s warm-up friendly against Nigeria because of a stomach bug but has since returned to training and expects to be fit to face Ghana in Portugal’s opener on Thursday.

“I’m feeling great, I’m recovered and I’m training well and ready to start the World Cup in the best way possible,” Ronaldo said. “I feel that this Portugal squad has amazing potential. I think we can win for sure, but we need to focus on the next game. So, it’s focusing in Ghana, get a win and go from there.

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“We will see in the end who the best team is, but I believe Portugal is the best team in this World Cup. But we need to show it on the pitch.”

At 37, this is almost certain to be Ronaldo’s last World Cup and his final chance to lift the one trophy missing from his CV. Long-time rival Lionel Messi is in a similar position with Argentina but Ronaldo dismissed the idea that winning the tournament would finish the debate over which of the pair is the greatest player of all-time.

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