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‘I don’t need to prove anything’ - Ronaldo talks Trump, GOAT debate and World Cup hopes
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 7 Nov 2025 06:32 GMT
- 8 min read
News
Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about Donald Trump, Wayne Rooney, winning the World Cup and many other topics in part two of his latest interview with Piers Morgan.
Having spoken about retirement and the state of Manchester United earlier this week, Ronaldo took this opportunity to discuss Diogo Jota and the Premier League as well as quipping that he is better looking than David Beckham.
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FootballTransfers takes a look at some of the highlights of Ronaldo’s interview with Morgan.
On Diogo Jota
Ronaldo spoke about Jota’s passing in July, describing his Portuguese team-mate as a ‘very good guy’ and explaining why he didn’t attend the funeral of the former Liverpool star.
‘I was with Geo (Georgina Rodriguez) alone,’ Ronaldo said of hearing the news. ‘I was in our period of rest, in the gym in the morning. I didn't believe it when they sent me the messages. I cried a lot, Geo can confirm that.
‘It was a difficult moment for the country, for the family, for friends, for team-mates. It was very sad news.’
Speaking about missing Jota’s funeral, Ronaldo said: ‘People criticise me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don’t have to worry about what people say.
‘But one of the things I don’t do - after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again. And second, as you say and you mention, and you know me and you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus.
‘I don’t go also because if I go - the attention goes to me, and I don’t want that kind of attention.
‘People can criticise me - oh, they criticise - but it’s gone already. I felt good with my decision. I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me - they’re going to speak good because Cristiano is coming. No. I plan things. I think about his family.
‘I don’t need to be on the cameras for people to see what I do. I do things behind the scenes, my friend. I feel better that way. But they do big propaganda, big publicity with my name. But it’s okay, no problem.’
On Wayne Rooney
Ronaldo refused to get drawn into a comment from Wayne Rooney, who said he preferred Lionel Messi, and insisted he has ‘no problem’ with his former Man Utd team-mate.
‘When we used to play, we had a good relationship. Not friends - not that kind of friends like the relationship I have with these guys, they come once per week or two to have dinner or lunch. But we had a good relationship in football.
‘When I mean friends... friends for me is a different word. But the relationship was good. Like [Rio] Ferdinand - he was a friend. Yes. I still maintain a relationship with him.
‘I’m a sociable man. And I respect people - like at Al Nassr I’m good with everybody. But friend, friend, friend - that is a deep word.
‘But I have nothing against Wayne, trust me. It’s okay. He loves the players or decision-makers he likes - for me there’s no problem. I respect him. More when we played - he did many good things for Manchester United. We won so many things together. But it’s okay, and the words he says - thank you to him. He says I’m a genius. Whatever he prefers - no problem.
‘If I see him around, I will shake his hand, I will give him a hug. For me, it’s not a problem. I don’t have time to be against people anymore.’
Comparisons with the Premier League and scoring goals after age 30
‘If you see in football, players after 30 slow down. I’m the opposite. I score more goals after 30. They can say whatever they want - because most of the time the people who speak about football don’t know anything,’ Ronaldo said.
‘Excuses. It’s the most simple way - excuses, excuses. Year by year, I score more. Even in a bad year I scored 25 goals. If I play in the Premier League now in a top team, I will score the same.
‘They don’t need to speak. They can say whatever they want, but they don’t like the numbers. And they can’t say things about the Saudi League - but they’ve never been here, never played here. They don’t know what it is to run with 40 degrees. They don’t know.
‘I continue - I repeat - the Saudi League is much, much better than the Portuguese league. The French league is only about PSG. The Premier League is good - of course, number one. But they should count the goals for the top scorer awards, the Ballon d’Or - why don’t they count the Saudi League? Why?
‘You see how many top players we have here. Ask the other players. Don’t ask me. Because they’ll say: “He says that because he plays in Saudi.” No - listen. I play everywhere. For me, it’s easier to score in Spain than to score in Saudi.’
On scoring 1000 goals and winning the World Cup
When asked if he had thought about his 1000th goal potentially coming at next summer’s World Cup, Ronaldo said: ‘No, I’m not. I don’t think about that. And maybe you’ll be surprised by my answer. If you ask me: “Is it a dream to win the World Cup?” No. It’s not a dream.
‘None of that will change my name in the history of football. I’m not going to lie - one thing that I’m sure of is that I enjoy the moment. And I’ve learnt by now that the moment is the most important thing we have. We’re not qualified yet.
‘Enjoy the moment. The moment is good. I played three days ago against Hungary in Sporting’s stadium - maybe it was my last game in that stadium. We never know. And I enjoyed it there. My mum was there, my family was there. It was good.
‘People say: “Cristiano will be the greatest if he wins the World Cup.” I don’t agree. How many World Cups did Argentina win before [Lionel] Messi? How many? I don’t know. Two times?
‘But it’s normal. Those countries used to win big competitions. Brazil - if they win the World Cup, they don’t surprise the world. If Portugal win the World Cup - which is possible - they will shock the world.
‘But in my mind, I don’t think that way. Of course, you want to win. When you compete, you want to win. But I’m honest - I’m not going to change the way I see things, the way I see football.
‘I don’t care about being considered number one anymore. Seriously. Really. I see so many things, so many interviews - if I say something now, people won’t be surprised. The history speaks for itself.
‘People have opinions. Some people like blonde, some people like dark. It’s okay - no problem. But to say: “Cristiano will be the GOAT if he wins the World Cup...” No. That doesn’t make sense to me.
‘I win - we win - three titles for Portugal’s history. Before, Portugal never won anything. I’m glad. I’m so happy.’
On Donald Trump
‘If the world is in peace, it is our goal. He is one of the guys who can change or help to change the world. This is my main goal. He is one of the most important guys - of course he is US president. If we can help each other to make this happen.
‘And one of the guys I want to meet - I wish one day, if I have the opportunity - is him. Make that happen, and tell him that one of the guys I want to sit and have a nice talk with is him. One of the guys - Donald Trump. Here, US, wherever he wants.
‘I know he was here in Saudi with our boss MBS. I wish one day to meet him, to sit with him, because he is one of the people I really like - because I think he can make things happen. And I like people like that.
‘I wish the world goes in a peaceful way soon. This is what I’m looking for. And I will tell him something very - nobody knows this - but maybe one day, if I have the opportunity, I’m going to sit with him and tell him. Probably, probably, no - 100% - he doesn’t know that we have something in common. Something we share. Not in your interview. I will tell him. You can’t take camera.’
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