Cristiano Ronaldo interview: “You all know what I want … In two days …”
Update: Required Reading: Article #1 & hankers Article #2. Thank you.
Guillem Balague interviewed Cristiano Ronaldo in the aftermath of Portugal’s Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Germany. You can read the full transcript of the interview here.
Balague has a history of doing really good interviews (e.g. his tete-a-tete with Benitez) and he hasn’t disappointed, with a timely interview covering one of the most talked about stories this summer.
Highlights from the interview:
- Ronaldo (on the loss to Germany): I didn’t do anything wrong. I did what I had to do but the team made mistakes and that is why we lost.
- Ronaldo has had a problem with his foot for a few months now, and he’ll have an operation on it after consulting the Manchester United medical staff.
- When asked why he hasn’t said he wants to stay at United, Ronaldo replied - you know what I want. Also, he says his decision was made before the Champions League final.
This last bit is worth reading in its entirety:
Guillem: Is it a personal problem or sporting problem?
Ronaldo: It is a personal thing. It is something I want, something I dream of.
Guillem: And that your family dreams of too.
Ronaldo: That is true. You all know what I want. I cannot say anything else. In two days you will hear from me.
Guillem: Do you think it is going to be very difficult to get out of United?
Ronaldo: It is always difficult. It is not only one person deciding, it is many people, but it can be a very good thing for everybody.
That just about confirms it for everyone. Kudos to Guillem for snagging Ronaldo at the right time and asking some excellent questions (and squeezing out the answer without asking the question directly). Again, you can read the full transcript of the interview here.
Bonus link: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Can Never Be the Best Player in the World
Wow! He is too full of himself right now! With that, he also needs an operation…in the head (It’s too BIG!).
I didn’t do anything wrong. I did what I had to do but the team made mistakes and that is why we lost.
He thinks he’s bigger than his team..how come can he crossed his finger to his teammates regarding the loss and said only them made mistakes..if i am his teammate..i would be very dissapointed..
It’s getting clear now..eventhough he didn’t say it directly..his comment just point out that he wants out from United and plays for..well you know who..
Adios Ronaldo!Thanks for the memories..
And United come right along, insisting that he’s not moving…
Should be fun…
Thanks Ronaldo for all the good memories. Was a pleasure watching all your goals and dribbles. Was really nice knowing you…now piss off and say Hi to Heinze.
I’m confident United will survive without Ronaldo. He is currently the greatest player in the world, but yesterday’s loss proved that you need a team to win, not just one player. We will find a replacement. I just hope the Glazers are as good at business as they claim to be and not pull another Beckham or RVN where we sell at a bairgain price.
I love Ronaldo as much as anyone, but “I didn’t do anything wrong?” What about leaving Miroslav Klose unmarked for the 2nd goal? Was he counting on his teammatess to cover for his defensive deficiencies the way Rio and Vidic do?
If he’s really going, then best of luck to him and thanks for the memories. If he thinks Ruud and Raul will work as hard for him as Rooney and Tevez do, then he’s deluding himself. Still, he obviously feels as if he can do anything right now. Anything except win Euro 2008, obviously…
Looks like Ronaldo is smarter than we give him credit for, I think that he hinted that he will stay at Manchester United and that he will leave in the same interview.
Still, I don’t think United fans will be happy with you anymore Ronaldo, I hope you rot in the reserves.
good spot Andrei.
I was thinking about it, and I think he’s right. It’s not going to be the same as 06 so he’s going to cop some stick from the home fans but once he starts scoring goals and winning games then they will at least quieten down for a bit.
He will cop some abuse though. It would be a bit of a surprise if he doesnt.
good to see your not all as depressed as the comments at Red Rants. I think his coming in for stick in ‘06 is a big reason behind his desire to leave. Would you want to stay in a country that treated you in a similar matter.
Too me it sounds like he desperately wants out but is half expecting to be forced to stay. Comments about goals seem to suggest he’s resigned to passing another season in Manchester.
Let’s face it the lad has a dream, and who are we to deny him that…if any of us had the chance to move to a warmer climate on twice the money we would probably jump at the chance, I know I would. But what I wouldn’t do is go to a second rate team whose sole ambition is wealth and status, A team whose only loyalty seams to be to three home based players (Casillas, Guti and Raul), A team who have had seven managers in eight years, A team whose fans wave white hankies when things get tough instead of cheering (Ronaldo (the one with the teeth) said he loved the atmosphere at Old Trafford as opposed to the Santiago Bernabeu), A team who class guti as a midfield maestro (omg), A team where until this week United players went to retire….I know where I would rather be if I were a professional footballer and that is overlooking Salford Quays. You are managed by a Knight of the realm show some respect……..now adiós
A fabulous interview and a very revealing one at that.Shows how Ronaldo understands the mindset of fans everywhere not just in Manchester.”score a few and they would cheer you backa couple of good goals and they will be happy”,blunt but true none the less.
Its sad that he plays for himself and not for the team by blaming the team for defensive lapse and completely putting the blame on them for the loss.How about the many defensive tackles which win games for Portugal?
I don’t think his future decision would come in 2-3 days.He would take his merry time and play with the patience of fans and managers.
@Jamie,I don’t suppose you follow Spanish league much or at least Real Madrid games.If you did see the last season then there have been more inspirational midfielders like Robinho,Sneijder.
The comment Ronaldo makes about scoring a few goals and people no longer being upset is very strange as it suggests that he might be stayting after all. Also, he claims that he made the decision before the Champions League Final. If that is true, it is even a more odd comment. In an interview straight after the final, he was asked if he would leave United and he flat out said ‘no, I am staying’.
STRANGE!
As a united fan, I believe no player is bigger than the team. So if he wants to go, then we should sell him. It will be sad to see him go, as he is by far the best player in the world right now. But if his heart is not in it, he wont be such a great player next year.
I for one, whether he stays or not, will never have any respect for him as the least he owed United was a clear answer. And some of the responses in regards Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans were completely out of line.
United for life!
He is flying so high on his own ego. Learn to mark your man properly and we can talk, knobhead
UnitedforLife - I think he’s underestimating the intelligence / loyalty of United fans.
Would love to have him stay but at this point with all the speculation it feels like he’s already gone.
It might sound weird but I hope he stays, with that money United would be able to make a massive dent in clearing their debt and when United do clear their debt, if they are still making the most income it will be very bad of opposing teams.
i think ronaldo is the best he made mistakes in his life and on the field but hey we all do, if he stays with man utd or leaves he will be our star no matter what, don’t 4get without him that wouldnt be the a team. and the comment he made about “the team made mistakes”his part of that team so he also made that mistakes. u the greatest and a role model for many!!!!
uresha
I support Real for 11 years, and if Real will sell Robinho, Sneider, de la Red, Grenaro just to get C. Ronaldo it will kill my belif in sportsmanship and anything beautiful in football
to koner
PLEASE CARRY ON SUPPORTING REAL….
YOU LIVE IN A 60′S DREAMWORLD….
REAL THROUGHOUT THEIR HISTORY HAVE PRESSGANGED PLAYERS..
THIS IS HOW IT IS ..AND THE PLAYERS YOU MENTION ARE NOT UPTO PLAYING IN RED…SPORTSMANSHIP IS POSSIBLY LONG GONE…BEAUTY IN FOOTBALL IS NOT DEAD…
GOOD LUCK 2009..
VIVA RONALDO
I think Ronaldo was loved very much by fans and team but this year it’s gonna be different, I am a MAN.U. supp. and i can’t see anyone taking his side,he is just too full of himself still a spoilt kid.I sincerly hope that Fergie is not mad enough to pick up the $$ and kick his butt out of MAN.U.Wot is he made of, can he leave his freinds ROONEY TEVEZ not to mention more, I really turned against him,will see wot happens
I agree with UNITEDFORLIFE but I have something else he never gave a clear answer cos he wanted att.everyone talking
about him
cr7?
is d best..
kaka?!
piss off..
he wants to leave united?
he responsiblties for his life..
speed,pace,skill,goals,dose anyone could do dat?
ronaldo d guy..
we just don’t bloody wany you at old trafford so you better run to mummie