Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan - the key takeaways

Cristiano Ronaldo and Piers Morgan. In many ways (some of which become apparent in this article), they are absolutely made for each other: Ronaldo is just about the most famous footballer in the world and Morgan can possibly say the same as an interviewer. He’s certainly the go-to person (with an honourable mention for Sean Evans) for the stars.

The pair last sat down together three years ago, a genuinely explosive interview in which Ronaldo went two-footed on his then-club Manchester United and then-manager Erik ten Hag, saying he had no respect for the Dutchman.

This time around, we find Ronaldo in a reflective mood as he approaches the end of his career with Al Nassr and Portugal. The chat takes place in his “man cave” in his Saudi Arabian home and, after some banter about the Premier League title hopes of Arsenal, the club Morgan supports, the pair get into what Ronaldo is calling his “most personal interview”.

“This time, I promise I’m going to be a good man,” Ronaldo states as Morgan cackles. Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus is safe, then.

Manchester United

Ronaldo is sad about their decline. This interview was recorded weeks ago, before United actually managed to beat their bogey team, Brighton & Hove Albion, and enjoy a relatively normal period of stability.

In general, of course, United are light years away from the success they had when Ronaldo was there (the first time).

“Manchester United, right now, they don’t have a structure,” Ronaldo says. “I hope that changes in the future, because the potential of the club is amazing, it’s one of the most important clubs of the century.

“They’re not on a good path. They need to change and it’s not only about the coach and players…”

Ronaldo is cut off by Morgan at this point as he’s potentially about to tear into United co-owner INEOS. Morgan instead interjects with a question about head coach Ruben Amorim, a fellow Portuguese.

“He’s doing his best,” Ronaldo replies. “What are you going to do? Miracles? Miracles are impossible.”

As we said, this was before they performed the Brighton miracle.

Ronaldo the billionaire

Almost 20 per cent of the interview is taken up by Ronaldo talking about how rich he is.

At the time of recording, it had just been reported (according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index) that he had become the first billionaire footballer.

“I was the one who told you, because I messaged you and said, ‘Have you seen this?’,” says Morgan.

Ronaldo basically says he already was one. “It was my goal to reach that number,” he adds. “I’m not obsessed for the money, but when you reach some level, money doesn’t matter anymore, but it’s always good to have more.

He continues: “The numbers don’t lie. If you see so many records in football, ‘Cristiano is there at the top of the list, it’s one record more’, it doesn’t surprise me because I knew my potential in football and outside of football. I knew I was going to reach that number, for many reasons.”

They carry on chatting about how rich he is, how many cars he has, with Ronaldo claiming he’s lost count (“I don’t want to be humble, it’s a fact”) and his most excessive purchase being an aeroplane (“I’m not a normal person, I cannot be in airports”).

“You’re probably the most normal billionaire I know. We message a lot, you’re like one of my mates,” Morgan says.

Retirement

Despite his incredible goalscoring record in recent years (yes, it may only be in Saudi Arabia, but the numbers since Ronaldo turned 30 are remarkable), Ronaldo will not have much longer left either in Saudi Arabia or playing for Portugal.

The World Cup is next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico, offering surely the final opportunity for Ronaldo to win the greatest competition the sport has to offer.

His Al Nassr contract, reported to be worth £492million ($641m) with a basic salary of £488,000 a day, runs until 2027.

Will he retire from international football next summer, then? And perhaps from club football a year later? He’s not putting a date on it, but he has started to imagine it happening.

“Soon,” Ronaldo states. “But I will be prepared. It’ll be tough and difficult, of course. Probably I will cry, yes. It will be very difficult, but Piers, I have prepared for my future since 25 or 26 years old. Nothing will compare to the adrenaline we have to score a goal. But, everything has a beginning and an end, so I’ll be prepared.

“I’ll have more time for me, my family, to raise my kids. I want to follow Cristiano Junior (currently playing for Portugal Under-16s) because he’s in the age where you do stupid things, normal, I did the same.

“I want to be more (of a) family person, more present.”

Getting married

Ronaldo recently got engaged to long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez. He revealed the proposal included him being cajoled by his two youngest children after he had bought an expensive ring.

“I think it’s the moment, not only because it’s the mother of my kids but because it’s the love of my life,” he says. “It’s the right moment.”

And yes, this is a personal interview. He talks about how the loss of the pair’s stillborn son in 2022 (daughter Bella was born at the same time, with the pair expecting twins) brought him and Rodriguez closer together.

“Probably in that period we consolidated the relationship more,” he says. “It was a difficult period, but it was nice because I learned so many things.

“I saw another perspective of life, my daughter, who is now three years old, the queen of the family, who makes the house happy. Everything happens for a reason. We are a blessed family. I’m proud of that.

“Gio is unique. She takes care of me, which is very important. She takes care of the family, of the house, which takes a lot of work. If you want to be the opposite, I will not deal with that; men cannot deal with that, honest.

“She’s the person who understands me and takes care of me and my family. This is what I’m looking for.”

And that’s a wrap. Well, until part two, which will include Ronaldo’s thoughts on President Donald Trump and also the tragic death of Portugal international team-mate Diogo Jota.

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