World Cup: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo sends defiant message as he speaks publicly after interview

A defiant Cristiano Ronaldo claimed to be ‘bulletproof’ on Monday as he spoke publicly for the first time since Manchester United moved to sack him over his interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo appeared at an impromptu press conference at Portugal’s World Cup base in Qatar and insisted: ‘I speak when I want to.’

The 37-year-old United star also urged reporters to direct any questions about the explosive interview towards him and not the rest of the squad ahead of Portugal’s Group H opener against Ghana on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit back in the media in first address since his bombshell tell-all interview

Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan has seemingly burned all bridges at Manchester United

The two-part, 90-minute chat with Morgan has effectively ended Ronaldo’s career at Old Trafford after he criticised the club, the owners, manager Erik ten Hag and some of his team-mates.

United’s lawyers have taken the first steps towards cancelling the rest of Ronaldo’s contract which would have been worth £16million in wages. 

However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed unrepentant on Monday as he defended his right to speak out over his treatment at Old Trafford. 

Portugal’s World Cup campaign kicks off on Thursday evening against Ghana in Group H

Footage of Ronaldo greeting Bruno Fernandes (right) went viral as it appeared to be frosty 

‘I am bulletproof — I wear an iron suit,’ said Ronaldo. ‘In my life, the best timing is always my timing. I don’t have to think about what other people think. I speak when I want. 

‘The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am and what I believe in. 

Ronaldo (L) and Fernandes (R) play together for Man United and Portugal  

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‘It’s an ambitious group that is hungry and focused. So I’m sure it (the interview) won’t shake the dressing room’s concentration and focus.

‘Stop asking my team-mates about me. If you ask other players about Cristiano Ronaldo, I would be upset. If you want to ask them about the World Cup and the team, I would like you to do that.’

Ronaldo also played down talk of a rift with team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo. 

Both players were filmed in awkward exchanges with Ronaldo when the Portugal squad assembled in Lisbon last week.

‘I played a joke with Bruno, with whom I have an excellent relationship,’ explained Ronaldo. ‘His flight was delayed and I asked if he had come by boat.

‘It was a joke, as it was with Joao Cancelo. He was a little sad, I pulled him up. The environment in the changing room is excellent. No problems.’ 

Ronaldo dismissed speculation of any rift in the national side, which Fernandes has echoed

Ronaldo admitted he doubts winning the World Cup will end his divisive reputation in football

He added: ‘Timing is always timing. From your side it is easy to look at how we can chose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to worry what others think.’ 

Ronaldo, who will be appearing at his fifth World Cup, played down suggestions that lifting the trophy would settle the debate about who is the greatest between him and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

‘Even if I win the World Cup that will continue,’ he added. ‘Some people like me more, some less. It’s like in life: some like blondes, some like brunettes.’  

Ronaldo admitted that he may not be perfect but he is able to take on ‘the responsibilities’

It was reported by Sportsmail that United have begun the legal process of tearing up his £500,000-a-week contract at the club.

They do not intend to pay him a penny of the £16million he would earn before the end of June 2023. 

This comes after his claims that the club has ‘betrayed’ him, and he admitted to having no respect for manager Ten Hag before criticising the already-unpopular owners, the Glazer Family.  

The 37-year-old criticised Erik ten Hag and the Glazer family as well as saying he was ‘betrayed’