Ronaldo: “I had given my word to Juventus …”

When he speaks, just as when he plays, he always leaves a mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo is never banal in his interviews, even more so when he’s facing the journalist and friend Edu Aguirre from El Chiringuito.

His past at Real Madrid, his departure from Madrid without neglecting the current state of the blancos. But also his relationship with Messi, the goals at Camp Nou, the search for his 1000th goal, and his sensational move to Juventus. Many, and heated, were the topics addressed by the Portuguese superstar of Al-Nassr.

“I am the most complete footballer of all time.”

How does Cristiano rank in the all-time list of footballers? He has an idea: “I am the most complete player of all time. I score with my head, I score from free kicks, I score with my right foot, and with my left. To say that CR7 is not complete is a lie. Then, you may prefer Pelé, Messi, or Maradona, I understand and respect that. As for the thousand goals? I’m 90, or 85, away from it; things should happen naturally“.

Cristiano Ronaldo takes to the skies to score his and Real Madrid’s sumptuous second goal in their resounding Champions League quarter-final first-leg win at Juventus. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images 📸

“If I don’t reach 1000, it doesn’t matter, I’m the best player in history, and the numbers say so.” Ronaldo mentions Messi, stating: “I have a good relationship with him. I even acted as an English translator during an awards ceremony! It was fun. It was a healthy rivalry, we got along.”

A rivalry he had with Messi but also, of course, with Barcelona: “I liked scoring at Camp Nou more than at the Bernabeu. When you’re warming up and they’re already booing you, that’s what I love. For me, it’s the best part of football. I loved playing at Camp Nou. They booed me, insulted me, and I adored it.”

Real Madrid today ?

Cristiano hasn’t played for Real Madrid for several years, but the team still boasts great champions: “Vinicius Jr deserved the Ballon d’Or, of course, but the award no longer has any credibility. I’ve been in the position he was in. He deserved it, but didn’t win it. Bellingham? He reminds me of Zidane. He has the whole future ahead of him: what a player! As for Mbappé, I tell Madrid fans: take care of him. Look after the boy, he’s really good. Real must protect him, I have no doubt he will bring joy to the fans. If I had been at Real Madrid, I would have taught Mbappé how to play as a striker. I wasn’t a center-forward, but I played there. I was a winger, people forget that.”

Today, the blancos are led by Ancelotti, whom Ronaldo had at Madrid and with whom he won his first Champions League wearing the white shirt. A special Champions League win with ‘Carletto’, the Decima: “I really like him, he’s a spectacular person. We won a lot together.”

MARCO BERTORELLO/Getty Images 📸

In general, CR7 doesn’t hold back when talking about the coaches he’s had: “I’ve learned from all my coaches. I’ve had some really bad ones. People who have no idea about football…” However, he’s definitely not interested in becoming a coach: “I think it’s harder than being a player. Owning a club makes more sense.”

Ronaldo departure from Madrid and the promise to Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo spent the longest part of his career at Real Madrid, leaving at the peak of his success after winning four Champions League titles with the club, including three consecutive ones just before his departure.

Then came the move to Juventus. But how did the idea of transferring to Turin come about? “I left Real Madrid because I wanted a new chapter. I told the president, and he accepted, but then he tried to reverse the decision. For me, there was no turning back because I had given my word to Juventus, and I couldn’t break it.

Creator: Andrea DI MARCO | Credit: EFE 📸

“When I was leaving Real Madrid, during the negotiation phase, it wasn’t very kind to me. I have great respect for Florentino, he’s a good president. From time to time, we exchange messages.”

Despite the departure, his affection for the blancos remains: “I love Real Madrid. I will always carry it in my heart; it’s the team where I felt the best. I spent my happiest years in Madrid, and I love when fans tell me they miss me.

I’ve done very important things, beautiful things, and that’s why people don’t forget. When you leave a legacy and a mark, people don’t forget.” ended Ronaldo.