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Cristiano, how are you?
Cristiano Ronaldo discusses his career, Arsenal near-transfer, Manchester United struggles, and becoming football's first billionaire in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan.
Key Takeaways
- Cristiano values honesty and depth in interviews, choosing quality over quantity.
- His football journey included a near move to Arsenal, showing how moments shape careers.
- Manchester United needs structural and youth development improvements to regain success.
- Financial success is a milestone for Cristiano but not his sole focus or measure of happiness.
- Cristiano remains deeply connected to his football roots and continues to follow the sport closely.
Summary
- Cristiano reflects on his career and the infrequency of his interviews, emphasizing honesty and depth.
- He reveals the near-transfer to Arsenal and his respect for the club despite not joining them.
- Cristiano discusses the competitive nature of the Premier League and Arsenal's chances of winning the league.
- He critiques Manchester United's current lack of structure and youth development compared to their historic success.
- Cristiano expresses his ongoing emotional connection to Manchester United despite recent struggles.
- He comments on Manchester United's new coach, highlighting the difficulty of achieving miracles with the current squad.
- Cristiano clarifies misconceptions about his billionaire status, confirming he reached that milestone at age 39.
- He shares his perspective on money, emphasizing that while important, other values surpass financial wealth.
- Cristiano acknowledges the recent Bloomberg report naming him the first-ever football billionaire.
- The interview blends personal insights, football analysis, and reflections on success both on and off the pitch.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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I'm good, my friend. And you?
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I think we interview you like every three years, and in three years an amazing amount of stuff happens in your life. Do you ever stop and
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think your life is like insane?
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I never thought about that, but I have to agree with you. It's true.
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The last interview that we made was hard, honest, like always. This is what I pretend to do with my interviews,
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which is I don't do it a lot because of that, because less is more, as you say, but this time I promise I'm going to be a good man.
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You've told Gio you're not going to be too controversial.
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I say because I asked, I shared with her that I'm going to give an interview to you, and I say I promise that I'm going to be a good man.
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Do you think you'll keep that promise?
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Yes. Today?
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Yes.
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Okay. We'll see how you get on.
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Let's see.
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I love your... We're in Saudi Arabia, your home in Riyadh. I love your man cave here, but there's one problem.
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You know what it is?
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I... I... Where is the Arsenal shirt that I gave you?
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I knew it. I mean, where is it?
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It's inside, yeah. I mean, come on.
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You know what still kills me? The revelation that you made last time that you could have been an Arsenal player, that you met Arsène Wenger, you were going to come, it was all done, all agreed. And then, you know who I blame
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for this? John O'Shea. You know why I blame John O'Shea? Because Sporting Lisbon played Manchester United in a friendly, and you terrorized John O'Shea so badly that four of the United team went to Sir Alex Ferguson, their manager,
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and said, "Do not leave before you sign this kid," and he didn't leave, and he signed you that day. True story.
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This is a true story, but it's, as I told you, Pierce, the past is gone. It's part of life, and honestly, when I look at Arsenal, I'm always looking not like a rival, like I nearly... I was nearly
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there. So I'm not going to say that I have a passion for the club, but when I look at Arsenal, I like the team. I like when they win because of that story, but you know, I was the life, you
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know, as the football, it's all about opportunities and moments. And this is what I see, and I took that opportunity. But to be honest, and you know that I'm never lying. Oh, sometimes, well, sometimes I'm lying
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for good ways, but I was nearly there in Arsenal, to be honest, but I think my story not... not will change a lot, will be similar. It won't change for you, but it changed for me. I don't think so because Arsenal still
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continue a top team and win titles and everything, big players, so maybe Arsenal will be... not what it could have.
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Not too much.
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Do you think we'll win the league this season? Arsenal, the top of the league?
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Could be. It's possible. I think the Premier League, the level of the teams is very, very similar. I mean, the top ones, but you know, the Premier League, it's always... you never know what's going to happen. It's a very, very difficult
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league, very tough league. But Manchester is not going to win the league for sure because they have so many points behind right now.
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It's possible.
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Yes. But I don't believe in that. Arsenal probably.
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Give me... Give me some hope here. Come on.
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Yeah. Yeah. I need the big dog to give us the... It's possible. Let's see.
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Let's see it come out of your lips.
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Yes. Arsenal can win the league.
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Yes, Arsenal can win the league.
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Thank you. I've got my sound bite.
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It's possible.
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You mentioned Manchester. You're probably talking about City, not United. Last time we spoke was a very different situation. You'd fallen out with the people at United. You know, you wanted to leave. You did leave. Pretty much
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everything you said in that interview has been borne out by events. So even though it caused huge controversy, I don't think anyone can look back at that interview and say you weren't being completely honest and that the problems
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you identified were obviously true. There's not been much improvement. I mean, if anything, United have gone backwards since that interview. What is going wrong with United, do you think?
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And how can it get fixed?
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Well, as you mentioned, goods. For me, it's... I'm sad because of the club, that one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart because of
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the obvious reasons. You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people to create a base for the future, as Manchester United have so many years ago. Nicky, Gary's, Roy Kings, Beckhams, they became big players, but they had
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youth. So Manchester United right now, they don't have a structure. I hope that changes in the future, present future, because the potential of the club is amazing. It's one of the most important clubs of the century. So,
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do you still look out for United results and does it hurt you to see how badly they...
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Of course. Of course, because I was to play there so many, many years. I won the Champions League there. I won
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the Golden Ball. I won like 12, 13, 14 titles there. So, as I say and I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club. But we have all, to be honest, look for ourselves and say,
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listen, they are not on a good path. So they need to change, and it's not only about the coach and players. In my opinion, it's... there's a young Portuguese coach there now, Amarin. What do you make of him?
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You do it to his best. What are they going to do? Miracles? Miracles are impossible. We say in Portugal miracles are only in Fatima, and I don't know if you know this expression. They start to smile because
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they know, you know, Fatima is... and you are not going to do miracles. Even the players Manchester United have are good players, but then don't have some of them the mind. What is Manchester United? You became a billionaire last week.
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I... and I was the one that told... I was the one that told you because I messaged you and said, "Have you seen this?"
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Not true.
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It's not true. I'm a billionaire so many years ago.
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I knew you'd say that. I knew you'd say that. And you probably were, right?
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Yeah. With 39.
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How did you know? Who... Who told you? Please.
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I know my money.
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Do you know exactly what you were?
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Really? Not precise 100%. But of course, you have to take care of your stuff. It's normal, you know. I'm not like that to look, but I have people
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around me who help me, you know, to do the right things in all areas, but financial. I have a guy who I speak to almost every day, not about that, but about my structure, the investments, the opportunities, and I have control, you
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know, because it's my life, it's my money.
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You, that moment when you realized you're a billionaire. What was that like?
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I knew it. This is what would happen. So, I was prepared.
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It's a matter of time.
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So, honestly, I was super happy. It's like when you won a Golden Ball because you make your own goals.
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You make your own goals. Everyone makes these own goals to build a house, to have a car, or it was my goal to reach that number because...
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Yes. Yes. Honest.
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I'm not obsessed with the money because I think the money can help, it can help you in many ways. But when you reach some level, the money doesn't matter anymore, in my opinion.
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But it's always good to have more because we are human beings. We are never happy with what we have. There is something that I learned during the time that financial is important, the money is important, but other things are
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more important than that. But to answer your question, I was super happy because it was one of the main goals that I had on my mind, a part of football trophies, Champions League, Golden Balls, trophies, everything.
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Financially and in a business way, it was my goal. So with 39, I reached that number, and I was so proud, to be honest.
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And now the world has caught up, and Bloomberg did this report, and you were declared the first ever football billionaire. The first ever. And there are a very small number of sporting icons who have passed that mark in other
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sports.
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probably does, too. But I I think you enjoy the trappings of your success. But I don't think it's changed you as a person at all. I think you are actually surprisingly normal.
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It's difficult when you speak about about you. But as I told you before and this is what I feel. I don't care. You know me.
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I don't care what the people thinking about me and if they say that I'm cook that I'm arrogant. I don't care. Honest with 14 years old, five kids have the best friends ever. I have the team that they help me a lot. Public opinion for
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me it's is not important anymore. I just want to be happy to do it what I like to do to still maintain my level in football score goals which is still maintain me happy and still I'm still happy when I go training compete in the
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training and I think I'm a normal people I'm I'm not I don't spend money for example I'm I'm not go shopping if I I go anywhere I can buy whatever I want but I don't need that anymore sometimes I okay let's Say 3 days ago I
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buy a car, but it's for collection. It's It's like you buy a frame. I'm not going to drive that car. It's like investment.
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What was the car? Mercedes. Uh, sorry. I have Mercedes as well. I buy Bugatti as well.
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Turbulon, but it's investment. How many cars have you got now? I don't know. P.
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You don't know how many cars? I don't count the cars. Serious. I don't count.
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I love how you make that sound so normal that you But it's normal. You don't know how.
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I don't want to be humble. It's It's a fact. 10 20 30 40 50.
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Yeah, maybe 50. 60. Honest, if you have to bet, I say I don't know. 41 40. I don't know, P. I don't know. I swear I swear for my kids.
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What's your What's your favorite? I love the Bugattis. Yeah. Yes. I have a few and they are they have different they are different beasts.
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But do you ever drive these cars? I never drive really. I for example I was one week in Madrid and not even go my garage to see the cars if they are there just the day that I left the car the two Bugattias went to
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the inspection inspection and they coming back and just look at them they are good they are clean they're good they go to the garage but it's honest I for me the cars is is not anymore a passion do you ever drive
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yes you do I drive You can drive around. I'm not driving a lot in Saudi because we're used to trading in afternoon and I go always with the driving and the traffic is terrible.
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Yeah. And the traffic is terrible. But for example, when we go when we coming back uh to home is not traffic.
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So yesterday you know the the the Alnasar they have the sponsor with BMW and uh all the players have a new car.
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So yesterday I drive home with my new BMW home but I'm not drive like in Saudi like one year. Wow. 6 months let's say.
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You mentioned goals. You just scored two more goals for Portugal. You then got substituted in the 77th minute and the opposition Hungary scored a last minute equalizer. I can only imagine how you were feeling. I would have one rule
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if I was your coach. If Cristiano has two goals, never stop him getting a hat-tick because I know you and you would do anything in your power to win the game but to get a hattick. So, how did you feel about being yanked off
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without being able to score your hatrick? Honest even the goals uh sometimes you think the the easy way will be the better way but it's not. Sometimes I know what you mean, but I have to be in the mind of the
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coach as well. Maybe want to keep the result to one to put another another player to save the result that is fresh that they can help to defend more the team. I understand and apart of that I I
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I I have to agree with the coach because we are not all the same. We are not thinking the same way. So if I will stay I will try to score the third goal but substitution sometimes is good even if
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you have two goals not not a problem for me anymore because I have scored so many tricks so one more one less for me it's your your goal scoring record since you turned 30 is ridiculous is more than
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more than before you were 30 I mean there's no player in history that has that you've scored 948 career goals now so last week all with deals always.
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Exactly. So, there's proof. I've heard you say that. You're right. There's proof of every goal. Do you remember your first one?
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The first goal I score professional. Yeah. Morance. Yes. What was the goal? You should see the goals.
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Is it good? Unbelievable. Really? Oh, the second goal. No, the first goal. Unbelievable goal.
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So, you started with an absolute worldy. You didn't see this goal the first time?
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Amazing. I need a video of this guy. Unbelievable. This is was it was the moment that the people say, "Listen, this guy going to be a good Really?" Yes.
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Okay, let's have a look at this. Oh. Oh, step over. Oh, what a first.
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Wait, that is a that's a banger. And the shirt came off. Good. Oh, what a goal. Even the the commentators they say this is why these players that don't stay longer in our league with 17 for me is like it was a a big
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boom for me like yeah that feeling that first goal and it was a great goal but that first goal is that where you first got that rush where you were like this okay I love this now you you this is give you confidence
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for yourself you say wow I play with the men's so they want to stop But even with 17, I was quicker than them, smarter than them, and score. This is where you start to feel that you're going to be I'm not
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going to say golden ball, whatever, but a good professional player. Who who's been your favorite player to watch ever? to mention one player. It's I think it's not is the one like if the television's on and there's a match and there's a
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certain player in the last 20 30 years and you've gone I got to watch that because of this guy.
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I watch the game. I watch the the the players to watch something because of one player. No, I watch for example Brazil because they have many players. They have Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Kaka. Yes. I watch uh I don't know Argentina because
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of the players that they have. I watch Spain. I I look in that way not because of one player honest but I have to respect that in the state of football you have many many many many great players and stars
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players which is you enjoy more than the other ones of course but to follow a game only because one player no could you imagine retiring yes have you got in your head an age when that may happen soon
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But uh I think I will be prepared. Will be tough. Of course. Will be difficult.
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Yes. Probably I will cry. Yes. Yeah. Normal. And I'm easy guy to cry. I'm I'm I'm not keep my feelings.
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I'm honest. I'm open person. Yes. Will be very very difficult. Yes. But peace I prepare my future since 25 26 27 years old. I prepare my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure that what what
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could bring you anything like the joy of football of actually playing football because you clearly still love playing?
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What outside of football do you think could even come close to replacing that? Anything or have you accepted?
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Nothing I think. Yeah. Uh nothing will be compared. that the adrenaline that we have for football to score a goal and will will gone this this way but as I say everything have the beginning everything have the end so I think I
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will be prepared I think but I have another other passions I'm going to have more time for me I'm going to have more time for my family to raise my kids especially the Bella that I have three years old that I start to feel when I
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travel and stay so many days you with the team kind of a rush. I want to follow Cristiano Jr. because it's in in the moment of the age that it's they're a little bit stop stupid. They do stupid
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things normal because I did the same. I want to m that I love football as well.
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I want to be more family person, more present also to have my own hobbies which is I like you know to like I like to see UFC the fights I like paddle for example it's our main sport.
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I hear you very good sport. I hear you're good at paddle. Well, we learn me and my my my my friends my my my close of friends. It's something that we we've been together unit.
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So it's good. I like and I want to learn something more about my companies other stuff about for example I'm not never going to be YouTuber of course but I'm well you have got 76 million subscribers I want to be there
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and you got that in about 3 months I mean you say you're not want to be a YouTuber you're one of the biggest YouTubers in the world I struggled for three years to get to 4 million and thought I was a genius you come along
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and in about 3 minutes you overtook me I'm going to spend more time on that to learn to do it more stuff.
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I think I'm going to do it the funny things and things that I'm not used to do it before because as you know for me the perspective that I have football is not only about to go to the training
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ground training one hour and do treatment I leave football 24 hours let's say in that way to do it the right things to perform because by my age the things is getting more difficult to recover over fast. But I'm
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enjoying this process. It's nice that you see the life with the different eyes and with the different vision. You have the different ideas. For me, it's a good challenge. Even with my age, I'm enjoy this period of my life because you learn
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so many things and you start thinking about other things, not only in football and makes you happy.
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Which of the brands that you really enjoy working with? I know that you you're big in real estate for example.
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You have I know about your after shave. I use it. It's very successful, I have to say. I mean, people go, "Oh, you smell like Christian." So, you know, um, but what you've got so many different things you're involved with. Which are
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the the big ones for you that you're most engaged with, do you think? Uh, YouTube. We start to do a few things with the with the YouTube. The image is always there.
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As you say, the real status is my really passion. And people that don't know that I'm a challenge person.
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in some business that people don't even dream about that. I'm not I mention of the interview.
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Uh I'm a person that always want to learn uh not only in the business way but al also in a life for the new chapter of my life that start to get to get a little bit more mature in some decision. You
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have I don't want to reveal a secret, but you have a video game room around the corner with about eight consoles.
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And I noticed you've got an esports award there. I mean, you love all this stuff, don't you?
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Yeah, it's it's the future. As you mentioned, the esports, it's I'm ambassador of that huge event that they do it every year here in Saudi.
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I have to appreciate our boss MBS. uh he gave me that opportunity to be the ambassador of the Egames which is his if if you never saw you should be here to see it's the great event and I'm here in the country of course
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because of him as well. So it's a guy that I really respect and uh I'm here because of him. So we do the fantastic things for the for the country especially a game.
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Let's turn to the other more important deal you did recently. Which one? I do your your engagement to Gio.
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The most important. I mean, come on. This is Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. This is the biggest deal.
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If not, she killed me. Yes, it's true. Now, you've managed to resist getting married to your 40s. Well, you haven't got married to and you're 40, right?
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But finally, finally, you you propose. So, talk me through this. What made you decide to finally pop the question?
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I'm always say the things the good things coming in the right time. Uh and sometimes you need time to realize uh that you don't do it some mistakes. I don't mean in that way. I'm going to propose her because I think it's the
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moment not only because it's the mother of my kids but only the it's the person that I'm love more is the love of my life.
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So I think it's the right moment as you say you're 14 years old. Um, nothing going to change. Nothing going to change just because we're going to marry. It's just a beautiful chapter of the life, you know. It's it's good. Uh,
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how did you propose? Was funny. Was funny. Uh, I knew it that one day I will do that. But I don't know which way. You know, it's difficult. I don't know. You are married. Yes. When you propose your wife, you never know
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the moment, the scenario, the environment. And I'm always say that the good things coming in a natural way. Football, life, opportunities, married. And it coming in a funny way because she asked me something. She asked me for a ring to
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offer her because it was one of her dream to have like a good stone and I work hard work hard and I finally I find what she love it and I speak with my guy and I say listen keep it we're going to
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do it the dinner tonight and after I'm going to offer to her and this is what we did but something after I stay with that alone and one of my friends they take the phone and filming which is they never did before.
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I know that friends for 10 years they never do this. Not even ask me to take a picture. Imagine. And they filming me. I say, "Wow, weird." And after it was like 1:00, 1:00 a.m. My daughters was in the bed sleeping, Alana and Eva.
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And one my friend gave me the ring to offer Jill. I was given the ring and my two girls coming and they say, "Daddy, you're gonna give the ring to mom and you're gonna ask her to be married." And I say,
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"Wow, is the right moment to say yes." I say yes. It wasn't a timing and G didn't believe yes. Yes.
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I knew it that I will do it that one day. But you hadn't planned it for that.
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No. And it was the moment that my daughter's coming and I say yes now is the time.
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This is what I want and I offer because my daughter saying that my friends film me.
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And were they there? The daughters they did you get on bended knee. I I didn't do that because I was like prepare and uh was a beautiful moment. Did you make a little speech or did you just say
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Yes, I did. You know, it was record. What What kind of thing were you saying?
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No, I say simple. Pierce, come on. I'm not like romantic guy. I am You sound very romantic.
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I'm not very romantic guy. I'm not that kind of guys. They bring flowers every week to the home.
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But this is a big moment. One one per month, let's say. Not every week.
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But I'm romantic in my way. You understand? But it was beautiful and I knew it that it was the woman of my life. So I did that and I hope that I do it.
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Did she hesitate or? Of course no. No. But one thing that I love it. She didn't care about the the ring.
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She asked me if I was if I speak the truth. Say honest. Honest. Yes. Yes. Honest. I want you blah blah blah. I want to marry you.
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Blah blah. But she didn't believe. But it was funny. Was Did you Did you cry?
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I didn't cry, but I was like because I see his reaction, I I had tears on my my eyes. Yes.
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And was that because of the cost of the ring or both? I've never seen that ring.
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Both. I mean, I've seen human beings get blinded by that ring when she walks around.
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We don't know. Um, you last time we spoke, uh, you'd gone through a very sad period as a family. you lost your baby son. You talked very movingly about that. That kind of experience can it can damage a
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relationship or it can make it stronger. Clearly in your case it must have made things stronger for you. Do you feel that?
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I feel that we always support each other. Sometimes it's like in a relationship you have good moments, bad moments. It's part of the the journey. But probably in that period uh we consolidate more the relationship because of what's what you
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say. But even even this is something that I learned by the time even in the worst moments you have to make you have to make the things move you know because not only when you are in the there
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in a good moment that's not going to come the bad moments. try to find the balance for everything in a good moments and in a bad moments back to the basic points a baseline and this is something that I learned uh
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was difficult periods but it was nice honest was nice because I learned so many things uh I saw all other perspective of the life um my daughter now which is three years old. She's the queen of the family.
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She's the who make the house happy. You know, everything happened for a reason. I believe on that. So, we are a blessed family. So, I'm proud I'm proud for that.
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For those who don't know Gia, I've had the pleasure of of meeting her a few times. What is it about her that made her so special to you?
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Well, she have so many things, good things that I love it that I believe she's unique in that way which is is she take care of me which is is very important. She take care of the family, she take care of the house which is take
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a lot of work. If you want to be the opposite, I will I'm not will deal with that. Men's cannot deal with that honest. Um, and she's special for me because a part of his qualities, beautiful body and everything that I
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like, she's a person that understand me and um take care of me and my family.
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So, this is what I I'm looking for. Was your mom happy when you told her?
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Yes, I believe they are happy. my old family. It's it's something that I think that it's good for all family. Not just for my family, kids, wife, but also for my mom, brother, sisters. I think they are off all happy because they say they
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see that I'm a groom man now. So, so they are happy and uh as I say and I'm continue to repeat, it's a new chapter of the life.
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Do you have a wedding day yet? Not yet. We planned to do it after the World Cup with the trophy. But do you know do you know where you want to get married?
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We didn't plan that because she don't she is not the person that they like big parties. She don't like it. She like uh private things.
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So I will respect his decisions because I'm not More importantly, have you decided on where the stag party is going to be and can I come?
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Why not? Thank you. Can you do the interview? Oh no. Is he organizing it? Jose Jose organized everything. Our CEO organized everything.
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Have you he got a stag party? I mean, what are we talking a week? A week somewhere.
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You are part of the family. Thank you, Cristiano. I want to talk about another very sad thing that happened to you recently. You lost one of your Portugal colleagues, Diego Jot, and it was an unbelievably shocking thing to happen.
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Where were you when you heard that he had he died with his brother in this crash?
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I was with the Gio alons in our period of rest. I was there in a gym in the morning with you. Uh I I I didn't believe when they send messages I I'm cry a lot.
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Jill can confirm that. I don't uh it was very very difficult moments for every for the country, for families, for friends, for teammates. Uh disaster, very very very sad news.
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He's 28 years old. Yeah. At the peak of his game, he was playing at Liverpool. He was everything was going so well for him. And just reminded you how fragile life can be. Right. This is why something that I mentioned before
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that you have to to enjoy the moments and don't plan much to the future. This is why my my guys they can confirm I'm not plan now not just because of that situation but before also with my kids that
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happened. I'm not planning the long terms only short terms because everything can change in one in one moment or another moment. So we have to be happy to be here and live the moment enjoy the life because the future only goes know. So
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but it was a shock moment. We still fel feel the hour there in the national team when you put the shirt because the yoga we it was one of us.
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What kind of guy was he away? Very good guy. quiet guy, a good player as you know, but very very how you say he's not a guy that speak too much or was very how do you say the words?
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Levelheaded. Yes. Yeah. Yes. I really like uh I like it to meet him to share with him so great moments but was sad sad uh I had opportunity to speak with their family and to give support because this moments
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we cannot because you know beautiful young wife and children I mean this was everything everything is is gone because of one moment So we have to enjoy the life piece. So it's hard.
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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 a unnecessary circus with too much attention on you.
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Is that is that really what you were thinking? Two things. Um 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 worry about
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what the people say. But one of the things I don't do, it's after my father die, I never been in a cemetery.
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Yeah. Again. And second, as you say, and you mentioned good and you know me and you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. you know I don't go also because if I go the attention go from me and I don't want this kind of
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attentions and I saw and I'm not criticized I just say that I didn't like it when you go in some sensitive uh moment to do it interviews speak about him to speak about football.
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Come on guys, what what is this? You know this show is life. Sometimes I'm not part of that.
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If you want to be part of this world, good luck. I'm going to be another side.
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People can continue to criticize me. Oh, they criticize. But it's gone already. I felt I felt good with my decision.
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I don't need to be in the first line. people see me. I they're going to speak good because Christian is coming. No, no. I planning the things I thinking about his family. I don't need to be in the cameras
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to for the people see what I do. I do behind the scenes, my friends. I feel better than that. But they do it a big propaganda and big publicity by my name. But it's okay. No problem. I understand.
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and to change the conversation for funny way. If you want to enjoy in a birthday, don't invite me because if I go to your birthday going to be a big mess.
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No, no, that's fine with me. No, not don't invite me. You're going to enjoy my big party without Cristiano. I turned 60 this year and I'm going to Don't invite me, please.
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Have a party and I want you to come and ruin it. You can come and be the star of the show. The big dog's here invite me.
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Don't you worry. You're not going to enjoy. No, I wouldn't. Because the people you're going to say to your friends, listen guys, Christian is coming.
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You don't know my friends. Don't take pictures. You don't know my friends. They're going to drink two glasses of wine in the middle of the night. They're going to say, "Cristiano, please take a picture with me. We'll be a big mess."
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My friends drink a lot more than two glasses of wine first. Secondly, I will do anything for the Instagram, right?
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And you at my at my party, of course, it's going to blow up the internet. I'll take any circus you want to bring.
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It's not a problem. No, I'm not going to be You're going to enjoy more. Trust me, Chris.
Speaker A
The first interview we did in uh Cherim, when you were at Juventus, and you revealed a story which was really extraordinary that when you were like 13, you were so hungry at the Sporting Lisbon Academy that you and a friend
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would they you go and 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
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everything after that to find them. And then I hear that you were walking through an airport and you randomly recently and you randomly bumped into one of them. Tell me about that.
Speaker A
Well, it was a funny funny story. I land from Hiad to Lisbon. When I take off there, we are in a private private area. And one of my friends, they say, "Cristiano, look what I see here." And I look at, you know,
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when you see some person and you recognize straight away, even 20 years after. And I was with my kids and with the with Gio and everyone. And I give a big hug to the girl and even my kids say,
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"Daddy, what you do?" And also, Gio, look at me. And I and I tell them the the story. And it was like a moment that I I feel like wow the life is a box of surprises. You never expect
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uh this moment and it was good and I was I spoke with my with my my friend we are already know who is the people 100%.
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And pretty soon I will do something something special. I promise. uh when I say something I try to promise and I will do it 100%.
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And one of the person was that girl that's amazing which is we already have there.
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What did she say when she saw you? Did she know that? She a little bit on shock because she never expect that I will recognize her.
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In the same way when she saw me she say it's Cristiano maybe she not going to not even speak with me. Did she realize you had been that boy who then?
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Yes, she did. And she tell me one thing. She say, "Cristiano, you never imagine. Every time that you come to Portugal, I know because I'm I work behind the scenes and I plan to come in here to receive you
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just to see you and they always make me a part." And this moment because one of the person that didn't come I replace uh this is why I come and I was so happy I said listen this is the life the life is
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brilliant because of that and it's all about moments chapters and everything and I said to my friends to keep our number and we're going to do it something when I'm going to have time I'm going to do it something
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uh beautiful and special for that people who helped me in that period. Amazing story. And what's even more incredible is that your new CEO at Al Nasir.
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Yes. Is a guy called Jose. He's sitting standing right over there. And he was the other guy with you.
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Yes. 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 aged
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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 little dormatory of about four beds very tight. You added a fifth bed
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and he allowed your friend to stay and he went on to become a professional footballer himself. Played in in Premier League, played in other leagues and came here and is now the new CEO of Ali and apparently doing very well. I think he
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told me that actually. But but what an amazing journey you two have been on. I think here you both are age 40.
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When you were 14, you were you had no money. You were hungry. You were queuing for burgers. And now you're here here together living the look the life. How brilliant is I love it. Sometimes when I'm thinking and
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speak about this kind of moments, I feel emot emotional, you know, because life is brilliant and God's make you in a place where you deserve and and I'm going to make a challenge for you. I think you should probably make interview
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to him. Yes. Because you're going to love it. He's a very very very very interesting guy.
Speaker A
No, I've already got that. It's not because he's here with me but and he's not in CEO of Al-Nasar because he's my friend. No, you have huge potential and everyone's are surprised. Not it's easy when you are around a friend people to
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say that but speak with other people other ones and they say the work that they do the potential that they have and one of the best qualities for me I always will put in the top loyalty loyalty honest to
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then take nothing which is not belong to you and these people is very rare in the world especially especially in a football.
Speaker A
Yeah. And especially when he's around a lot of money and you don't buy these people in Kur or you know you don't buy these people in Amazon. No no no no no.
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So I'm challenge you to make intering to you because he's a very very interesting person.
Speaker A
No 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. He's going he's going to go public and that story with all of you.
Speaker A
But he can mention so many stories a good ones because I know he's actually a fascinating guy.
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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. So, it's been a
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I just I just I just do it my best. As you know, I'm a loyal guy too. So the loyal guy should be next to the loyal people. And this is what I did that I think they're supposed to do.
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But I was 12 years old. My mind was like like that's but I don't know how to explain. You know sometimes in your life you do it or you do it mistakes and you do it good things that you not even realize that
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what is correct and what is false. But I did what I think it was correct and not because in that moment of course in that moment I like him but not like now. Now now it's like part of my family. I I I
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don't need I don't need to say that but I'm tell you as well peers my people around me they are fantastic people. I'm lucky. I'm lucky. Not just because one of the best, but also I have other people on my team.
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He's a special guy, but I have I have a I'm lucky. I'm lucky. But also the lucky to have lucky, he brings effort.
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You need effort. And many of the guys is what are with me. It's the guys that are inviting to come to be next to me.
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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. You sometimes you need to choose.
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I call it the 4 a.m. club. And what I mean is who could you call who could you call at 4:00 a.m.
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and they would get out of bed and they come and help these people. I know. I know your guys and they're fantastic, incredibly loyalty and very protective, rightly. Um Yeah. But I think they feel the same about you and
Speaker A
that's what's unusual. They have great respect for you. Yeah. What 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
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I repeat I have I'm a 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
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they are a friends even if they want other challenge I'm never going to close their door but all they always will be my friends so for me it's it's a bless Tell me about your fitness because people I look good.
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You're looking very good. Um I mean obviously you haven't got these abdominals. We've addressed that before.
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Uh but you're working at it and I think you're making good progress. Uh they're pretty are they like Do you mind if I just Yeah. It's like hitting It's like hitting granite. Not quite the same. Not quite the same here, but uh they say
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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 Do you feel that? I mean, do you feel that you don't look 40 and you don't have the
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physique of a 40-y old? No, I'm not. The physically, I think I I look much more younger, of course, because is I still I start to do it gym since 12, 13, 14, 15.
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Do you go every day? Do you do something every day? No, not every day. But I I try to maintain a consistence in my life.
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But do you do something every day? Do you do something physical? 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 weights. Two times per week for me is
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enough. I burn because of football, you know. It's just consistence. If you have consistence, it's easy. Trust me.
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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?
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Inspiring me. Inspiring you. Yeah. I'm sparring by myself. No. Who have you looked at? What you think?
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A good 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.
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I met him the other day. Very nice guy. I have more hair than him.
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He's You do. And he's learning golf, but he's not very good. Now's a good time to play him at golf. But I think it's it's good because he's still he still play football, basketball and he's in a good shape.
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Other ones Modric still looking good. Yeah. What's he 41 now? Modric. No, he's my age. I think 39 40s.
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Uh Jookovic. Well, I was going to say so Novak is here. He was 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
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because they all thought saying look now that S and Alarez are kind of the new top guys will you retire he's like actually I want to keep going I want to keep proving to myself I can keep going
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and he named you as the example so you're inspiring him feels good right to inspire the greatest tennis player in history I think it's uh it's good when you have u others other other sports other people they speak good about your name.
Speaker A
It means a lot and Novak is a great example of of greatness in the sport. So it's good. I'm I'm glad from his his words.
Speaker A
Do you feel now obviously you're probably not as quick as you were so you know the initial you were a winger, a flying winger and so on, you changed your position, the way you play football and so on. But do you think as an actual
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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 uh period of your
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career, but do you think you're a better natural finisher now than you've ever been?
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I think I'm 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
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some things that you always can improve is mentally and this is what I'm focused to be mentally good fresh because the the brain don't go faster you not get older faster than the brain brain more you feel more physically
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uh I mean professional players and I am I'm adapt you know and this is but finisher finisher of course with the the first three four five years I'm not wasn't very very very good I was good but not top but after 25
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I think I was very similar if you ask my teammates if you ask my friends they to say the same probably more now I'm more focused on that right because I'm play I'm not I'm not winginger anymore and I played the last
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well I watched you score the other day and and it's just your movement because I think in the penalty area look I I'm not going to tell you how to score goals but in the penalty area a lot of it is
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lastm 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 I watched the way you took them and they look they look relatively easy, right?
Speaker A
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.
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Of course. So it that's an instinctive thing, isn't it? I think so. Yes. Instinctive things you learn by the time, you learn by the experience.
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Uh and one thing that I think make the difference is you can improve all the time. Even with my hitch, you have some points that you can improve. And this is the bigger mistakes of the players. They think they know everything and they
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don't learn more. Uh if you see an in of the football, the players after when they get 30s, they slow down. And I'm I'm opposite. I scored more goals after 30s. And you can say whatever they want because most of the times the people
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speak about football, they don't know nothing. Wayne Rooney, your old colleague, said last week that he doesn't hate you. People have said that he did. He loves you. He called you a genius. He said you're much closer than
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people realize. But he still said Messi is better. No problem. No problem. That's a very diplomatic answer Christian.
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No, but serious. I'm not mad with that. For me, it's okay. You can you can choose whatever you want.
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Do you get on well with Wayne? Do you have a friendship with him or not really? When we used to play we are no good relationship not friends like mean that kind of friends that the relationship that I
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have with these guys they they coming one time per week or two to have a dinner with me or lunch but we have good relationship in the football I don't have a friends that they come in my house for a lunch
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or a dinner when I mean friends I have good relationship but friends friends for me it's a different word for mem Mhm.
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But the relationship was good like Ferdinand was a friend. Yes. I still maintain his relationship with him. I've you know I'm a soci sociable man. So, and I respect it's like in Allah. I'm good with everybody, but friend, I think
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it's a very very very deep word in my opinion. And um but I'm I'm not nothing against him. Trust me, Pierce. I'm It's okay. It's if it's on things is what you like what you he love it the
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most. uh players or decision makers of for me it's not a problem you know uh I respect him I respect him uh more when we play because I think he he do so many good things for Manchester United we win we
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want 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 people. Don, no problem. No problem. For me, it's it's all good. If I see him around, I'm
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shaking his hand. I give you a hug. For me, it's not a problem. I'm not I don't have time, you know, to be against people anymore, it's it's okay. I respect everybody.
Speaker A
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 they can look at the Saudi league and say it's not as good,
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but it actually look at Portugal is what I say. Look at your record for Portugal.
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Recently, it's been off the charts. Excuses. Yeah, excuses is it's the most simple way for everything. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Year by year, year by year, I score more. Even in a bad year, I scored 25 goals.
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If I play in Premier League now in a top team, I will score the same.
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Well, the last season you play, last full season, easy. If you have a good team with 14 years old, I will score the same.
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You 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. They don't need to speak because
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they can say whatever they want. But the numbers they don't like and they can't say Saudi league.
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They never been here. They never play here. They don't know what to run with 40°. Uh uh they don't know.
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And I I still continue and I repeat the Saudi league, the Saudi league, it's much much better than Portuguese league.
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Of course, French league is only PSG. Premier League is good. of course is the number one and they should count even they should count like the goals to be the top score uh the golden ball why they don't count Saudi league why
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you see look how many players top players we have in the 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 say the center say that because
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they play in Saudi no listen I play everywhere everywhere For me, it's more easy to score in Spain than score in Saudi.
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By the way, do you accept that you're only here because of me in that interview?
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Probably. So, given you're now a billionaire and you made probably half of it here, I wasn't I wasn't Where's my cut?
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Where's my commission? Yeah. You're 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.
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Is there a scenario in your head given 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?
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No, I'm not. I I don't thinking about that. And I maybe I was surprised with my answer.
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If you ask me, Christian, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it's not a dream.
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Really? Yes. To win the World Cup? will change my my my name instead of football. I'm not going to I'm not going to lie.
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One thing that I'm sure that I'm enjoy the moment and I learn by the time that the moment is the most important thing that we have.
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We are not qualified already. Enjoy the moment. The moment is good. I played three days ago in Hungary in Sporting Stadium. Maybe it was my last game in that stadium. We never know. And I I I'm enjoy there. My mommy was there.
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My family was there and it was good. And people say Christian will be the greatest if they win the World Cup. I'm not agree. I think I win three titles for for Portugal. The story.
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You know my you know my view of this. I believe you are the greatest footballer to ever play the game.
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Thank you. 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.
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How many World Cups win Argentina before Messi? How many? I don't know. Two times.
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Yeah, maybe two, I think. Yeah, but it's normal. These countries they used to win big competitions.
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Brazil, if they win the world the the the World Cup, they will surprise the world. No, if the Portugal win the World Cup, which is possible, they will shock the world. Yes. But in my mind, I don't thinking in that way. Mhm.
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Of course you want to win. Yeah. When you compete, you want to win. I'm not I'm honest. For me, I'm not going to change the way I see the things and the way I see the football.
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Do you do you believe you've earned the right to be considered the greatest of all time?
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Of course. Oh, one of the best for many of people. Yes. But number one, peace. But I'm I'm I don't care about that anymore. Serious really.
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I see so many things. I see so many interviews where I think if I say something now the people not going to surprise the story speak for itself they have opinions they have some people like more blonde some people like more dark it's
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okay no problem for me but to change if this story the history of Portugal to say if Cristiano will the world cup will be no this is don't make sense for me I win we won three titles for Portugal
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history before Portugal never won nothing. I'm glad. I'm so happy. But you would you would love it, Cristiano, to win the World Cup.
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Yeah, but not a position. No, I understand what you're saying. I swear for my kids, but I still think that image of you if if I don't agree. I'm not agree.
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Really interesting. Yes. No, I'm not agree because Portugal never won World Cup. Yeah, but they can win. Yes, we're going to fight for that.
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But but it shouldn't define you as a as a player. No, we define with 14 years old or 41 to define what?
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To define if I'm one of the best of the history to win one competition, six games, seven games.
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You think it's fair? It's not fair. When you go to the World Cup in America, David Beckham is the sort of most along with Messi now, but Beckham is the kind of guy that went to America, became this
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sort of superstar. You played 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
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better looking than David Beckham? Depends. Are you more handsome? Depend. Depend. Because for me the looking is not only the face, the looking it's all package like this.
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If you put me not anymore, but imagine Cristiano. Yeah. Not Cristiano. a normal guy with the speedos, red speedos in a copper cabana to drink coconut water.
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You think I'm not going to get a chance with nobody? No, you're going to do well.
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Okay. 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 on the coconut. Nobody don't nobody noticed. So, yeah, I can confirm.
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No, I'm joking. You're not really depend depend of the perspective of the people or but it's okay. You're looking good. I'm looking good. We both looking good. So come on, you and Beckham. You're walking across the Copa Cabana for say 10
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minutes. Who gets the most attention? Not famous. Not famous. Just your body. Me 100%.
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I knew it. I knew it. Come on, P. I agree with you. You agree?
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I'm just trying to just trying to tease it out of you. Thank you. Yeah.
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I don't need that. But imagine, let's imagine something. No one's looking at Beck at this.
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Come on. Come on. He know that. He knows that. His face is beautiful. Yeah. And some face.
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The rest is The rest is normal. Like it's normal. I'm not normal. I'm perfecto.
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Also, he has too many tattoos, doesn't he? Don't you think? I don't know. Do you think he should have that surgery?
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Tattoos. I think he covered in tattoos. Tattoos. Absolutely covered in H. Well, but it looking good. He's a He's a He's a He's a guy that I like it. He's a guy who speak good.
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I like him. I like him. Do Do you still talk to Sir Alex Ferguson? I met him at the time Champions League final when I was there in Manchester. I used to speak more with him and he used to come to my house for
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a tea. He drink tea with the with the milk. He's a good man. He's a person that I'm always going to have in my heart because he's a source, you know.
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person really helped me in my life in my career. I mean really I mean 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
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of a father figure to you? Father in football. Yes. Yeah. Like a guy who guide me.
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Yes. In in that way. Yes. It was a guy who always maintain his words what we say he promise. Very good man and I respect him a lot. best manager you played under this is you've had so many
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what I say by the players I'm kind of saying in a coaches which is 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
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it's not fair but many people mention ah my favorite play is is this one I'm not that guy. I like to say that all of them help Cristiano to be what I am right now.
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This President Trump, yeah, 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.
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What did you mean by that? If the world is in peace, it's our goal is one of the guys that can change or help to change the world.
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And this is it's my my main goal is 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 I swear please I can't watch
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TV because it's been awful. I don't watch I swear I can't M sometimes I'm start start to see to see the news to be I can't I can't and one of the guys I one of the guys that I want to meet I wish one day
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if you have opportunity I can I can make that happen make make that happen or tell him that one of the guys that I want to sit to have a nice talk was one of the guys Donald Trump
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Donald Trump here us wherever he wants I know he was here in Saudi with our boss NBS I wish one day to meet him to sit with him because he's really got he's one of the person that I
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really like him because I think it can make things happen and I like people like that and he's I mean I say whatever you think of Trump and people have very strong idea about you as well but I think that he
Speaker A
believes in peace not war. It makes him unusual for a Republican American president. He he just 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
Speaker A
trying to do in Ukraine with Putin trying to stop the you know I think these are admirable things for him to be doing and you know following what you said to him I think he's he's trying to deliver on what you asked.
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I wish that world goes for a peace way uh soon. This is what I'm looking for and I will tell him something very nobody knows this but maybe one day if you have the opportunity I'm going to sit with him
Speaker A
and I'm going to tell him probably probably know 100% you don't know that we had something in ku and something that we share really yes but what is not in your interview I will tell him you can't you can't take a camera
Speaker A
it's very nice you're going to like it you're going to like it really Yes.
Speaker A
How fascinating. Fascinated. Christian is a worldwide man. Oh, I know that. Yeah. Yeah. Now more than before. But but you know what you've done with 18s, 19s, 20s. I were there. I I was there in US so many times.
Speaker A
So, but this is like taking a camel to the edge to the edge of an oasis. But it was funny and then saying you can't have a drink.
Speaker A
You will like it. It's torture. I love this. If you have opportunity one day, tell him. Well, his son Baron's a big fan of yours. He told me that.
Speaker A
Yeah. Yeah. He's fan. He loves you. Good. His son is kind coming as well.
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Oh, yeah. Okay. Well, we'll get Baron Donald. I obviously I'll have to be there.
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If you want to be Cristiana, I'll come as I'll come as your assistant. Perfect.
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Um, that would be an amazing I think we can make that happen. I think he'd love to meet you.
Speaker A
Perfect. Is that perfect? 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. We will do it a debate for the world. Who is the most famous? Me or
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or Donald Trump? President Donald Trump in the world. What do you think? Me? Really?
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Well, you've got more followers on Instagram. You've got more followers than anybody. I think worldwide.
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Yeah. Even in that small Iceland, they know me more than him. Really? Yes. That's a fascinating debate. You think you'd win that?
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Yes. You probably would. You probably would. I think in world in the world nobody's more famous than me.
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Do you think anyone there because of social media? Tell me one. Well, I'm going to explain.
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Tell me one your opinion. In my opinion, in my lifetime, this generation now this 2025 right 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,
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probably the queen, but because they're no longer with us, right? But in my lifetime, and maybe Nelson Mandela, right, would be the most famous iconic people. But I think right now, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson at his peak.
Speaker A
At his peak, but I think right now it's you and Donald Trump. That's it's a good debate.
Speaker A
It's a great debate. You're pretty. Let's make that happen. I think that'd be great.
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You see, now it's just is the map of Yeah. the world. Have you ever been anywhere where no one's recognized you? in 20 years ago.
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Yes. Not anymore. But not now. No. Is there anywhere you could go? Could you go to like an eagloo in Iceland and Yeah. Even they know you, right?
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Yes. Yes. Do you like that? No. It is what it is. I I'd quite like that.
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No. Please. No. It's boring. Trust me. It's too much. It's boring. Yeah. Too much.
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You could be too famous. You could be too famous. I wish to don't be too so so famous.
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Really? Really? Really? It's boring. Trust me. 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.
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I will sign. You would? Of course. Of course. Of course. Of course. 100%. Fascinating.
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100%. I never want to be famous. Never. I want to have successful. I knew it since the beginning when I was young that I will be a let's say a star.
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But to be so famous, I never never never want it. It's boring, trust me. But it is what it is.
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I will born in that way. So you're the most famous and the richest and most successful footballer in history.
Speaker A
Not bad, Cristiano. Thank you, Piss. Brilliant to catch up with you. I wish I wish Listen, so don't do it interview with you in three years. I I want less. Okay.
Speaker A
Less but before you will do it interview with my CEO. No, no, definitely. No, I I I think you would be a great interview. I totally agree that your story together is unbelievable and I will do that and I think my next
Speaker A
interview with you could be could be and we can do something. Imagine me, you, sir, Mr. Trump.
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Yes. In one table. Yes. Will be fun. I think this is a great idea.
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Different. Yes. like around the at the White House will be even better. Why not?
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You got to play. I haven't even got to buy an air ticket. No problem.
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I'll come with you. Something different. Beautiful. Good conversation. I think he would love it.
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I mean to promote the World Cup in his country. What could be better? Oh, look.
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I'm going to make this happen. Something. Okay, perfect. But make sure if I do make it happen, you don't cut me out. All right.
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You are part of the family. We have a deal. You know that. Cristiana, great to see you.
Speaker A
Thank you very much. Send my best to all the family. Thank you. Thank you, Pet.
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And congrats on the forthcoming marriage. Thank you. It's a big moment for a man.
Speaker A
Thank you. And if you need a best man, you know where to find me.
Speaker A
Okay. I'm good with speeches. Thank you, guys. Take care. Perfect.
Topics:Cristiano RonaldoPiers Morgan interviewArsenal transferManchester UnitedPremier Leaguefootball billionairefootball careersports interviewfootball analysissports business
