Extensive AS interview with Cristiano Ronaldo
While we're still riding the Cristiano roller coaster from yesterday (although arguably it's hard to get off), I thought it'd be interesting to post this interview. All questions are football-related and it's a nice read. The translation was generously provided by CR7-Kaka. Original text/source provided at the end of the post, for those who speak Spanish.
ON HIS INJURY
It’s all good now. It was a congestion in the leg, but I’m much better. For Sevilla and Manchester I will be able to play.
ON HIS BIRTHDAY WISH FOR THE FUTURE
The first gift I would wish for is “La Decima”, something very special for Real Madrid after so many years without winning it and, of course, also for me. The Champions League is the maximum for a player and I have a lot of hope to win it this year.
I’ve been playing for ten years as a professional and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished. I have many challenges ahead. The Champions and the Copa del Rey with Madrid, because we know that the league is very difficult.
ON HOW MANY YEARS HE HAS LEFT AS A PROFESSIONAL
That’s a difficult question to answer, because I do want to play 10 more years, though I don’t know if I can really still play at the age of 38.
I want to play many more years and I will do so if I feel good mentally and physically. I’m working hard to achieve this because I have good genetics. So I shouldn’t have problems to get there. They say that after the age of 32 or 33 your genetics change and the way you play. You lose speed, but you gain experience. I enjoy the moment, which is very good.
ON HIS COMPARISON TO ALFREDO DI STEFANO
I feel proud to be compared to the great men in the history of football and Madrid. It is an honour to stand beside these men. But what preoccupies me is to keep on working to help my club to always become bigger.
I don’t think about comparisons or records because that’s not good.
But what’s really true is that I always intend to make people feel good about me. I want to leave my mark in Madrid and I will only achieve that if I keep on defending this club until the limit of my powers.
ON THE BERNABEAU FINALLY APPRECIATING HIM
This is a situation that makes me very happy. The affection I get from people on the pitch, on the street, moves me. I am feeling proud to see that the people are with me, because they have realised that Cristiano is always the same. I always go forward. I always give my maximum and the fans have noticed that.
The Bernabéu appreciates me and already sees me as one of their players, one of their home. What motivates me most is seeing that the people care for me and continue to support me in all the matches, whether I score or not.
ON THE BERNABEU CHANTING HIS NAME
It’s a dream come true. When I signed for Madrid in 2009, that was one of my desires and one of the things I most was looking for from the first day I set foot in the Bernabeu.
The fans have noticed that and came to the conclusion that I am here wirh body and soul, and that I defend this shirt unto death.
It leaves me very pleased and happy to feel the affection of the people. I know that they love me and that fulfills me. The first day they chanted my name, I went home with a feeling of accomplishment, because I always try to give everything for this club.
ON HOW HE HAS CHANGED TO MAKE PEOPLE SEE HIM DIFFERENTLY NOW
I was always the same person, but people have no opportunity to get to know me.
Even though little by little they see how I am and it is true that I notice a different treatment, more affectionate.
I have not changed my way of being, but some things can always be improved. But my personality is always the same. I have always defended Madrid to the maximum and people are noticing that more now, leaving aside other less important aspects.
Now I am very happy that they appreciate me, but it never ceases to amaze me because I was always the same person and people didn’t appreciate me with the fairness they do now.
ON HARSH TACKLES (example Navarro)
No, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t call. But I don’t want to talk much about this issue because a guy who fouled me that harshly that it opened my eyebrow and I had to get six stitches, deserves a punishment and a sanction.
But treatment in football is not the same for all players. But nothing has happened here, not even a foul was whistled. It hurts, because with things like that, no justice is given in football. It makes me sad because it is not a good example for the children.
ON RECEIVING LESS INSULTS RECENTLY
That’s true. I notice that in stadiums they insult me less and less. I cannot please everyone. Not even God can, so how could I?
It’s not good for the children who come to the stadiums to hear those things. It’s just a football match and people should to go to the stands to enjoy the show and not to insult or threaten the players.
ON HIS SADNESS BEING OVER
Yes, it has changed because I do what I love to do, which is playing football and I am feeling very well on the pitch and with the team mates.
Maybe my way of thinking and living has also changed for the better.
Right now I feel better than before.
ON HIS CONTRACT RENEWAL (million dollar question!)
I won’t talk much about that because what’s really important to me now, what’s on my mind and what’s my aspiration is, that Madrid win “La Decima” and the Copa del Rey.
Contract renewal is a subject that I don’t want to talk about and that doesn’t worry me right now. Now I only care about the team and we’ll talk at the end of season.
I swear on my son that my my sadness was never related to money. It was not.
ON DOPING IN FOOTBALL
This issue is very delicate…
I don’t think that there is doping in football. It is a team sport and I don’t believe that it’s necessary to use it to improve the performance. Of course, I would not put my hand in the fire for anyone …
ON FOOTBALL BEING CLEAN, THEN
Yes, one hundred percent. I don’t think that these kind of things happen.
SOURCE: AS.com
ON HIS INJURY
It’s all good now. It was a congestion in the leg, but I’m much better. For Sevilla and Manchester I will be able to play.
ON HIS BIRTHDAY WISH FOR THE FUTURE
The first gift I would wish for is “La Decima”, something very special for Real Madrid after so many years without winning it and, of course, also for me. The Champions League is the maximum for a player and I have a lot of hope to win it this year.
I’ve been playing for ten years as a professional and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished. I have many challenges ahead. The Champions and the Copa del Rey with Madrid, because we know that the league is very difficult.
ON HOW MANY YEARS HE HAS LEFT AS A PROFESSIONAL
That’s a difficult question to answer, because I do want to play 10 more years, though I don’t know if I can really still play at the age of 38.
I want to play many more years and I will do so if I feel good mentally and physically. I’m working hard to achieve this because I have good genetics. So I shouldn’t have problems to get there. They say that after the age of 32 or 33 your genetics change and the way you play. You lose speed, but you gain experience. I enjoy the moment, which is very good.
ON HIS COMPARISON TO ALFREDO DI STEFANO
I feel proud to be compared to the great men in the history of football and Madrid. It is an honour to stand beside these men. But what preoccupies me is to keep on working to help my club to always become bigger.
I don’t think about comparisons or records because that’s not good.
But what’s really true is that I always intend to make people feel good about me. I want to leave my mark in Madrid and I will only achieve that if I keep on defending this club until the limit of my powers.
ON THE BERNABEAU FINALLY APPRECIATING HIM
This is a situation that makes me very happy. The affection I get from people on the pitch, on the street, moves me. I am feeling proud to see that the people are with me, because they have realised that Cristiano is always the same. I always go forward. I always give my maximum and the fans have noticed that.
The Bernabéu appreciates me and already sees me as one of their players, one of their home. What motivates me most is seeing that the people care for me and continue to support me in all the matches, whether I score or not.
ON THE BERNABEU CHANTING HIS NAME
It’s a dream come true. When I signed for Madrid in 2009, that was one of my desires and one of the things I most was looking for from the first day I set foot in the Bernabeu.
The fans have noticed that and came to the conclusion that I am here wirh body and soul, and that I defend this shirt unto death.
It leaves me very pleased and happy to feel the affection of the people. I know that they love me and that fulfills me. The first day they chanted my name, I went home with a feeling of accomplishment, because I always try to give everything for this club.
ON HOW HE HAS CHANGED TO MAKE PEOPLE SEE HIM DIFFERENTLY NOW
I was always the same person, but people have no opportunity to get to know me.
Even though little by little they see how I am and it is true that I notice a different treatment, more affectionate.
I have not changed my way of being, but some things can always be improved. But my personality is always the same. I have always defended Madrid to the maximum and people are noticing that more now, leaving aside other less important aspects.
Now I am very happy that they appreciate me, but it never ceases to amaze me because I was always the same person and people didn’t appreciate me with the fairness they do now.
ON HARSH TACKLES (example Navarro)
No, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t call. But I don’t want to talk much about this issue because a guy who fouled me that harshly that it opened my eyebrow and I had to get six stitches, deserves a punishment and a sanction.
But treatment in football is not the same for all players. But nothing has happened here, not even a foul was whistled. It hurts, because with things like that, no justice is given in football. It makes me sad because it is not a good example for the children.
ON RECEIVING LESS INSULTS RECENTLY
That’s true. I notice that in stadiums they insult me less and less. I cannot please everyone. Not even God can, so how could I?
It’s not good for the children who come to the stadiums to hear those things. It’s just a football match and people should to go to the stands to enjoy the show and not to insult or threaten the players.
ON HIS SADNESS BEING OVER
Yes, it has changed because I do what I love to do, which is playing football and I am feeling very well on the pitch and with the team mates.
Maybe my way of thinking and living has also changed for the better.
Right now I feel better than before.
ON HIS CONTRACT RENEWAL (million dollar question!)
I won’t talk much about that because what’s really important to me now, what’s on my mind and what’s my aspiration is, that Madrid win “La Decima” and the Copa del Rey.
Contract renewal is a subject that I don’t want to talk about and that doesn’t worry me right now. Now I only care about the team and we’ll talk at the end of season.
I swear on my son that my my sadness was never related to money. It was not.
ON DOPING IN FOOTBALL
This issue is very delicate…
I don’t think that there is doping in football. It is a team sport and I don’t believe that it’s necessary to use it to improve the performance. Of course, I would not put my hand in the fire for anyone …
ON FOOTBALL BEING CLEAN, THEN
Yes, one hundred percent. I don’t think that these kind of things happen.
SOURCE: AS.com