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Real Madrid, Manchester United, Euro 24… I tell everything to Rio Ferdinand

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Overview

In a wide-ranging interview with Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo reflects on his personal adaptation and mindset, major career decisions, and his views on football clubs and tournaments.

Adapting to Saudi Arabia / life outside Europe

  • Ronaldo argues that adaptation is manageable because he has always lived in different countries (Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain).
  • He says, “no country is perfect,” and pushes back on Western criticism of Saudi Arabia—arguing that every place has problems, and people should face them and move forward.
  • He highlights positive aspects of Saudi life, especially:
    • the Red Sea
    • AlUla
  • He describes these places as unforgettable, with a strong sense of spirituality/energy.

Saudi league and competition level

  • When asked about the leagues, Ronaldo claims the Saudi league is strong and is getting better.
  • He points to challenges that affect performance, particularly:
    • hot weather
    • the difficulty of maintaining high performance levels consistently
  • He emphasizes that playing there is “not easy,” based on feedback he receives from other players.
  • He also frames himself as a “pioneer” for Saudi football.

Pressure and early sacrifices

  • Ronaldo downplays the idea of “football pressure” as the key issue.
  • For him, real pressure is life-and-death hardship.
  • His biggest emotional burden came from leaving home at 11–12 years old:
    • crying daily
    • enduring family separation
  • He credits his parents with guiding him: they told him the dream would be hard, but worth it.
  • He describes that period as the turning point that built resilience for later career pressure.

Why he cried in Euro 2024 (and tournament emotions generally)

  • Ronaldo rejects “ego” explanations for his tears in the tournament.
  • He describes a deep sense of responsibility—especially regarding missing a penalty.
  • He argues that if you’re truly passionate, you can’t switch off emotions.
  • He says his disappointment wasn’t only personal; he felt he was letting down:
    • Portugal
    • his family
    • his fans
  • He links his tears to meaningful emotional moments (including seeing his mother).

Response to criticism and “being finished”

  • Ronaldo sees criticism as part of the business, particularly because he is one of the most followed athletes.
  • He claims he uses criticism as motivation and is unconcerned with labels like being old or “done.”
  • He reinforces that he will keep showing up—training and competing—regardless of results.

Longevity, mindset, and continuing to perform

  • He attributes longevity to:
    • enthusiasm (his “addiction to football”)
    • careful body management
    • mindset, especially once physical decline begins
  • He argues that as players age, the mind becomes the key differentiator.
  • He also highlights practical factors like:
    • playing carefully across seasons
    • managing minutes
    • maintaining high standards

Euro 2024 performance assessment

  • Ronaldo calls Portugal’s tournament “average” overall.
  • He acknowledges they should have done better, but says the defining factor was losing on penalties.
  • He suggests the public narrative would be different if Portugal had won the shootout (e.g., semi-final vs Spain).
  • He treats the penalty loss as a lesson for the future.

Real Madrid

  • Ronaldo praises Real Madrid’s recent strength, saying they don’t rush when pressure mounts.
  • He credits their preparation and atmosphere for helping them perform in big Champions League moments.
  • He won’t guarantee they’ll be better than last season, but expects them to remain among the best.

Kylian Mbappé’s move / pressure at Madrid

  • Ronaldo believes Mbappé will handle the move well due to Real Madrid’s:
    • structure
    • coaching
    • long-standing stability
  • He suggests Mbappé could develop into a major Ballon d’Or-caliber player in that environment.

Man United

  • Ronaldo says United needs a full rebuild—both structurally and mentally—after standards and expectations dropped.
  • He criticizes a specific mindset he disagrees with: a coach claiming they can’t compete for the Champions League.
  • He expects rebuilding to take time, but believes United still has talent and potential.

Club management and coaching knowledge

  • Ronaldo argues successful rebuilds rely on football people—those who understand players from experience—rather than office-based decision-makers.
  • He uses an analogy comparing:
    • an “electrician” vs. a “plumber”
    • implying specialized, hands-on understanding matters most

Youth and the next generation

  • Ronaldo expresses confidence in upcoming talents.
  • He says young players need luck and protection from problems.
  • He emphasizes the importance of supportive development environments, citing Spain as an example of how young players can benefit.

Ronaldo’s son (Cristiano Jr.) and parenting under fame

  • Ronaldo says Cristiano Jr. wants to be a footballer.
  • Ronaldo says he won’t pressure him heavily—because the burden of being his son carries its own weight.
  • He believes children should be guided through example, not forced through fame-driven expectations.
  • He stresses education and resilience, even expecting hardship later as part of growing up.

What he’ll miss when retiring

  • Ronaldo says he will miss the adrenaline of high-stakes football:
    • stadium moments
    • scoring nerves
    • the tension of matches
  • He also says he is excited to focus more on:
    • business
    • new challenges after his playing career ends

Presenters / contributors

  • Rio Ferdinand
  • Cristiano Ronaldo

Original video