Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has defended the timing of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
During a press conference on Monday, the 37-year-old insisted he did not regret the timing despite the fallout overshadowing Portugal’s preparations for the World Cup in Qatar.
Manchester United are seeking to terminate Ronaldo’s contract following his criticism of the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
“Timing is always timing,” Ronaldo said at a news conference at the Al Shahaniya Sports Club. “From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to worry what others think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in.”
Both Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves were asked questions about Ronaldo at news conferences on Saturday and Sunday.
Ronaldo was also involved in what looked like an awkward moment with Bruno Fernandes when the pair met up at Portugal’s training camp in Lisbon last week prompting speculation the interview had caused an issue between the two United teammates.
“We were playing around last week,” Ronaldo said. “His plane was late, and I asked him, ‘Did you come by boat?’ Please, don’t ask players about me, ask about the World Cup.”
Ronaldo also said he had nothing to prove by winning the World Cup as he had “nothing missing in my life.”
“If I had to prove something at 37 years and eight months [old]… After what I’ve already done and won, it would be a surprise for me,” Ronaldo added.
“I am an ambitious player. I would love to win t his World Cup. It would be magical, it would be spectacular, a dream.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved so far… Thanks to God, I have nothing missing in my life.”
