Cristiano Ronaldo's Most Revealing Interview - Part 1

0:01This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+. Cristiano, how are you? I'm good, my friend. And you? I was thinking, I interview you every three years and in three years an amazing amount of stuff happens in your life.

0:36Do you ever stop and think your life is like insane? I never thought about that but I have to agree with you, it's true. The last interview that we made was hard, honest like always. this is what I pretend to do with my interviews which is I don't do it a lot because of that because less is more as you say but in this time I promise I'm gonna be a good man you've told Gio you're not gonna be too controversial I say because I share with her that I'm gonna give interview to you and I say I promise that I'm gonna be a good man do you think you'll keep that promise yes Today yes. Okay, we'll see how you get on.

1:28I love your... we're in Saudi Arabia, your home in Riyadh. I love your man cave here, but there's one problem. You know what it is. Where is the Arsenal shirt that I gave you? I knew it. I mean, where is it? It's inside the... I mean, come on. You know, it still kills me. The revelation that you made last time, that you could have been an Arsenal player. that you met Arsene Wenger, you were going to come, it was all done, all agreed. And then, you know who I blame for this? John O'Shea. You know why I blame John O'Shea? Because Sporting Lisbon played Manchester United inner-friendly, and you terrorised John O'Shea so badly that four of the United team went to Sir Alex Ferguson, their manager, and said, do not leave before you sign this kid.

2:18And he didn't leave and he signed you that day. True story? It's a true story, but it's, as I told you, the past is gone, it's part of the life. And honestly, when I look at Arsenal, I'm always looking not like a rival. Like, I was nearly there. So, I'm not going to say that I have a passion for the club, but when I look at Arsenal, I like the team, I like when they win because of that story. But, you know, ours is the life, you know, ours is the football. It's all about opportunities and moments. And this is what I see. And I took that opportunity, but to be honest, and you know that I'm never lying or sometimes...

3:07Well, sometimes I'm lying, for good ways. But I was nearly there in Arsenal, to be honest. But I think my story will not change a lot. It won't change for you, but it changed for me. I don't think so, because Arsenal still continue a top team and win titles and everything, big players. So maybe Arsenal will be better, but not too much. Do you think we'll win the league this season, Arsenal? The top of the league? Could be, it's possible. I think the Premier League, the level of the teams is very similar. I mean, the top ones, but you know, the Premier League, you never know what's going to happen.

4:01It's a very difficult league, a very tough league, but Manchester are not going to win the league for sure, because they have so many points behind right now. It's possible, yes, but I don't believe on that. Arsenal, probably. Give me some hope here, come on. Yeah, yeah, it can be. I need the big dog to give us the yes. It's possible, let's see. Let's see it come out of your lips. Yes, Arsenal can win the league. Yes, Arsenal can win the league. Thank you. I've got my soundbite. It's possible. You mentioned Manchester. You're probably talking about City, not United. Last time we spoke was a very different situation.

4:42You'd fallen out with the people at United. You wanted to leave. You did leave. Pretty much everything you said in that interview has been borne out by events. So even though it caused huge controversy, I don't think anyone can look back at that interview and say you weren't being completely honest and that the problems you identified were obviously true. There's not been much improvement. I mean, if anything, United have gone backwards since that interview. What is going wrong with United, do you think? And how can it get fixed? Well, as you mentioned, good. For me, I'm sad because of the club that's one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart because of the obvious reasons.

5:29You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have so many years ago. Nicky Bart, Keres, Roy Keane, Beckham, they become big players but they had youth. So Manchester United right now, they don't have a structure. I hope that change in the future, present future, because the potential of the club is amazing. It's one of the most important clubs of the century. Do you still look out for United results and does it hurt you to see how badly they did? Of course, of course, because I was to play there so many, many years. I win the Champions League there, I win the Golden Ball, I win like 12, 13, 14 titles there.

6:29So as I say and I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart, I love that club. But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, listen, they are not in a good path. So they need to change and it's not only about the coach and players in my opinion. There's a young Portuguese coach there now at Ameren, what do you make of him? He's doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles? Miracles are impossible. We say in Portugal miracles are only in Fatima. And I don't know if you know that expression, they start to smile because they know what I mean. You know Fatima? Of course. And you're not going to do miracles.

7:13Even the players, Manchester United have good players, but they don't have some of them. the mind what Manchester United is. You became a billionaire last week. And I was the one that told you. I was the one that told you. Because I messaged you and said, have you seen this? It's not true. It's not true? I'm a billionaire so many years ago.

7:42I knew you'd say that. I knew you'd say that. And you probably were, right? Yeah, we're 39. How did you know? Who told you? Please, I know my money. Do you know exactly what you're worth? Not precise 100%, but of course you have to take care of your stuff. It's normal, you know. I'm not like that, but I have people around me who help me, you know, to do the right things in all areas. But financial, I have a guy who I spoke almost every day, not about that, but about my structure, the investments, the opportunities, and I have control, you know, because it's my life, it's my money, you know. That moment when you realized you were a billionaire, what was that like?

8:42I knew that this is what will happen. So I was prepared. It's a matter of time. So honestly, I was super happy. It's like when you won a golden ball, because you make your own goals. You make your own goals, everyone makes their own goals to build a house, to have a car. It was my goal to reach that number. It was? Yes, yes, honest. I'm not obsessed with the money, because I think the money can help you in many ways. But when you reach some level, the money doesn't matter anymore, in my opinion. But it's always good to have more, because we are human beings. We are never happy with what we have.

9:35There is something that I learned during the time that financial is important, the money is important, but other things are more important than that. But to answer your question, I was super happy because it was one of the main goals that I had on my mind. A part of football, trophies, Champions League, Golden Balls, trophies, everything. financial and in a business way, it was my goal. So with 39 I reached that number and I was so proud to be honest. And now the world has caught up and Bloomberg did this report and you were declared the first ever football billionaire. The first ever. And there are a very small number of sporting icons who have passed that mark in other sports.

10:24Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, you could talk about Michael Jordan, but there are very few Christiano. In football I'm the only one. You're the only one in football. Does that mean a lot to you to be the only one? Well, don't surprise me a lot because if you say the story of football and they can call me a cuckoo or whatever, but the numbers don't lie. It's something that I'm always saying and I will continue to say. If you see so many records in football, Christiano is there on the top of the list. So it's one record more. So for me, honest, don't surprise me because I knew my potential in football and my potential outside of football.

11:12Don't surprise me, to be honest. I knew that I'm going to reach that number for many reasons. But deep inside I was happy, it's one of my goals and my motivation is still to say, but money is your motivation for football. No, but it helps, in my opinion. You said about records, that you don't chase records, they chase you. In a way the same applies to money I would think, is that if you keep your performance levels at the level you have them, of course then obviously the brand is maintained exactly the revenues come in right i mean it's all performance related this is was my strategy a few years ago and say if you continue to be in the top level and continue to perform that number will reach to you because as you mentioned good everything it's together you understand so it was my plan if you ask me you thought that you will reach so quick?

12:17Probably no. But I knew that I will reach that. And it was good. Show me your left hand a minute. Which one? Do you want to see this or this? Well, I'm looking at both and thinking your left hand is probably worth more than I have in my life. No, no, no. And I'm not a poor man, Cristiano, but this arm is... It's not that much. I mean, this watch alone. When they see Cristiano, when they see the right, they say, wow, Cristiano, I've done it. But sometimes it's fake. But they don't realise because I'm Cristiano, nobody believes that it's fake. I'm joking. What is the most... It's a presence. I'm going to say no.

12:58People give me... Really? Georgina offered me this on Christmas, and I have a sponsor with Jacob. So I didn't buy with my own money. I have the sponsor. You understand? What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought? Most expensive? Ui! Most expensive thing I've ever bought? A plane. A plane? Yes. I love the way you had to think about that. But it was. What kind of plane? I have my plane since I was 13 years old, but I changed right now one year ago, so it's a little bit expensive. What model do you have now? I have Global Express. Nice. I mean, that's a sign, isn't it? That's a moment when you have your own play, isn't it?

13:46I've had since I was 13 years old, so I have 10 years of playing, but I've changed for a better one now. But, as I say, Piers, for me, as I've told you before, the money gives you the opportunity to have material things, which is good, but I'm in a moment of my life that for me it's... I don't care anymore about that. For me, the most important thing is I want to live the next chapter of my life with not expensive costs, let's say in that way, because my dreams are already gone. I mean, when I was young, 20s and 13s, I used to love cars and everything, to drive. I don't have that passion anymore.

14:37Planes I just have because I need, because I'm not a normal person, I cannot be in airports. I buy because of that and of course, let's say it's, help me, the word, like a comfort. It's like a comfort. But I don't look for that anymore. I just want to be happy, enjoy the life. As Carl Jung said, after the 14th you really know and you start to live the life. And this is what I start to feel. For me the money is good but it's not important anymore. You mentioned normality there and you clearly can't lead what people would consider a normal life. You can't go where there are groups of people because you'll be mobbed and I've seen it.

15:26But having said that, you're probably the most normal billionaire superstar I know, genuinely. You're just very regular. People always ask me about it. I go around and people come up to me all the time and it's like, what's Cristiano like? What's he really like? What's he really, really like? And I say, Cristiano, he's just a normal guy. You know, we message a lot and you're just a regular, you're like one of my mates, right? You don't carry with you the airs and graces of somebody who feels entitled to any of this. I get the feeling that you never forget where you came from. Probably your mother, I think, and your family.

16:02Make sure that doesn't happen. Gia probably does too. But I think you enjoy the trappings of your success. But I don't think it's changed you as a person at all. I think you are actually surprisingly normal. It's difficult when you speak about you. But as I told you before, and this is what I feel, I don't care who you know me. I don't care what people are thinking about me and if they say that I'm quirky, that I'm arrogant. I don't care, honest. With 14 years old, five kids have the best friends ever. I have the team that they help me a lot. Public opinion for me is not important anymore. I just want to be happy, to do what I like to do, to still maintain my level in football, score goals, which is still maintain me happy.

16:48I'm still happy when I go training, compete in the training. And I think I'm a normal people. I don't spend money. For example, I'm not going shopping. If I go anywhere, I can buy whatever I want, but I don't need that anymore. Sometimes, okay, let's say three days ago I buy a car, but it's for collection. It's like you buy a frame. I'm not going to drive that car. It's like investment. What was the car? Mercedes. Sorry, I have Mercedes as well. I buy Bugatti as well, Tourbillon. But it's investment. How many cars have you got now? I don't know, Piers. You don't know how many cars? I don't count the cars.

17:32Serious, I don't count. I love how you make that sound so normal. But it's normal. You don't know how many cars you have. I don't want to be humble. It's a fact. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50? Yeah, maybe... 50?

17:4760? Honestly, if you have to bet, I say, I don't know, 41, 42. I don't know, Pierce, I don't know. I swear, I swear for my kids. What's your favourite? I love the Bugattis. Yes, I have a few and they are different beasts. Do you ever drive these cars? I never drive. Really? I have, for example, I was one week in Madrid and not even go to my garage to see the cars, if they are there. Just the day that I left, the two Bugattos went to the inspection and they're coming back and just look at them, they're good, they're clean, they're good, they go to the garage. But it's honest, for me the cars is not anymore a passion.

18:33Do you ever drive? Yes. You do? I drive, yes. You can drive around. I'm not driving a lot in Saudi, because we're used to training in the afternoon and I go always with the driving... And the traffic is terrible. And the traffic is terrible. But for example, when we're coming back to home, it's not traffic. So, yesterday, you know, Al Nassar, they have the sponsor with BMW, and all the players have a new car. So yesterday I drive home with my new BMW, home. But I've not drive like in Saudi, like one year. Well, six months, let's say. You mentioned goals. You just scored two more goals for Portugal.

19:17You then got substituted in the 77th minute. And the opposition, Hungary scored a last minute equaliser. I can only imagine how you were feeling. I would have one rule if I was your coach. If Cristiano has two goals, never stop him getting a hat-trick. Because I know you and you would do anything in your power to win the game, but to get a hat-trick. So how did you feel about being yanked off without being able to score your hat-trick?

19:47Honest, even the goals. Sometimes we think the easy way will be the better way. but it's not. Sometimes I know what you mean but I have to be in the mind of the coach as well. Maybe you want to keep the result to one, to put another player to save the result that is fresh, that they can help to defend more the team. I understand and apart of that I have to agree with the coach because we are not all the same, we are not thinking the same way. So if I will stay, I will try to score the third goal. But substitution sometimes is good, even if you have two goals, it's not a problem for me anymore, because I've scored so many hat-tricks, so one more, one less for me.

20:41Your goal scoring record since you turned 30 is ridiculous. It's more than... More than before you were 30. I mean, there's no player in history that has that. You've You scored 948 career goals now. All with videos. Exactly, so there's proof. I've heard you say that. You're right. There's proof of every goal. Do you remember your first one?

21:06The first goal I scored professionally. More than it is, yes. What was the goal? You should see the goals. Is it good? Unbelievable. Really? The second goal, now the first goal, unbelievable goal. So you started with an absolute worldie? You didn't see this goal the first time? No, maybe. I need a video of this goal. Unbelievable. This was the moment that the people said, listen, this guy is going to be a good player. Really? Yes. OK, let's have a look at this. Oh, step over! Oh, what a worldie! First in. That's a banger. And the shirt came off. Good, huh? What a goal! Even the commentators say, this is why these players don't stay longer in our league.

21:57With 17, for me, it was a big boom for me. That feeling, that first goal, and it was a great goal, but that first goal, is that where you first got that rush? Where you were like, OK, I love this so much. No, this gives you confidence for yourself. You say, wow, I play with the men. So they want to stop me, but even with 17 I was quicker than them, smarter than them. This is where you start to feel that you're going to be, I'm not going to say golden ball, whatever, but a good professional player. Who's been your favourite player to watch ever? To mention one player, I think it's not... Is there one like if the television's on and there's a match and there's a certain player in the last 20-30 years and you've gone, I've got to watch that because of this guy?

22:50I watch the game, I watch the players. To watch something because of one player? No. I watch, for example, Brazil because they have many players. They have Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, yes. I watch Argentina because of the players they have, I watch Spain. I look in that way, not because of one player, honest. But I have to respect that in the state of football, you have many great players and stars players, which you enjoy more than the other ones, of course. But to follow a game only because of one player? No. Could you imagine retiring? Yes. Have you got in your head an age when that may happen?

23:42Soon, but I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult, yes. Probably I will cry, yes. Yeah, normal. And I'm an easy guy to cry. I'm not keeping my feelings. I'm honest, I'm an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes. But I've prepared my future since 25, 26, 27 years old. I've prepared my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure. What could bring you anything like the joy of football, of actually playing football? Because you clearly still love playing. What outside of football do you think could even come close to replacing that?

24:35Nothing, I think. Nothing will be compared to the adrenaline that we have for football to score a goal. We'll go this way. But as I say, everything at the beginning, everything at the end. So I think I will be prepared. I think. But I have other passions. I'm going to have more time for me, I'm going to have more time for my family, to raise my kids. Especially the Bella that I have three years old that I start to feel when I travel and stay so many days in the hotel with the team. kind of a rush. I want to follow Cristiano Junior because it's in the moment of the age that it's they're a little bit stupid.

25:20They do stupid things. Normal, because I did the same. I want to Mateo, that I love football as well. I want to be more family person, more present. Also to have my own hobbies, which is I like, you know, I like to see UFC, the fights. I like paddle for example, it's our main sport. Are you very good at that? We learn, me and my friends, my close friends. It's something that we've been together, unit, so it's good. I like and I want to learn something more about my companies, other stuff. about for example I'm not never going to be youtuber of course but I'm well you have got 76 million subscribers I want to be there you got there about three months I mean you say you're not going to be a youtuber you're one of the biggest youtubers in the world I struggled for three years to get to 4 million and thought I was a genius you come along and in about three minutes so maybe I'm gonna spend more time on that to learn to do more stuff I think I think I'm going to do the funny things, and things that I'm not used to doing before, because as you know, for me, the perspective that I have, football is not only about to go to the training ground, training one hour and do treatment.

26:50I leave football 24 hours, let's say in that way, to do the right things to perform, because by my age, the things are getting more difficult to recover fast, But I'm enjoying this process. It's nice that you see the life with the different eyes and with the different vision. You have the different ideas. For me, it's a good challenge. Even with my age, I'm enjoying this period of my life because you learn so many things and you start thinking about other things, not only in football, and it makes you happy. Uncovered windows can make your home feel up to 20 degrees higher. Stay cool and save up to 45 % off custom window treatments during the 4th of July VIP access sale at blinds.com.

27:35From outdoor shades to room darkening blinds, finding the perfect fit is easy. Get free samples, expert design help, and professional measure and install services. Or DIY it with confidence and support every step of the way. Shop up to 45 % off site-wide right now during the 4th of July VIP access sale at blinds.com. Which of the brands that you really enjoy working with? I know that you're big in real estate, for example. You have, I know about your aftershave, I use it. It's very successful, I have to say. I mean, people go, oh, you smell like Cristiano. But you've got so many different things you're involved with.

28:14Which are the big ones for you that you're most engaged with, do you think? YouTube, we start to do a few things with YouTube. The image is always there. As you say, the real estate is my really passion and people that don't know that. I'm a challenge person in some business that people don't even dream about that. I mentioned it in the interview. I'm a person that always wants to learn, not only in the business way, but also in the life. For the new chapter of my life that starts to get a little bit more mature in some decisions. I don't want to reveal a secret, but you have a video game room around the corner with about 8 consoles.

29:00I noticed you've got an eSports award there. You love all this stuff, don't you? Yeah, it's the future. As you mentioned, eSports, I'm ambassador of that huge event that they do it every year here in Saudi. I have to appreciate our boss MBS. He gave me that opportunity to be the ambassador of the E-Games, which is, if you never saw, you should be here to see. It's the great event. And I'm here in the country, of course, because of him as well. So it's a guy that I really respect and I'm here because of him. So we do the fantastic things for the country, especially E-Games. Let's turn to the other more important deal you did recently.

29:48Which one? I did so many. Your engagement to Gio. That's the most important. I mean, come on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry. This is the biggest deal. If not, you kill me. Yes, it's true. No, you've managed to resist getting married. No, not to resist. To your forties. Well, you haven't got married and you're 40, right? But finally, you've proposed. So talk me through this. What made you decide to finally pop the question? I'm always saying the good things are coming in the right time. And sometimes you need time to realise that you don't do some mistakes. I don't mean it that way. I'm going to propose her because I think it's the moment.

30:35not only because he's the mother of my kids, but only because it's the person that I love more. It's the love of my life. So I think it's the right moment. As you say, you're 14 years old, nothing gonna change. Nothing gonna change just because we're gonna marry. It's just a beautiful chapter of the life, you know. It's good. How did you propose? It was funny. It was funny. I knew that one day I would do that, but I don't know which way. You know, it's difficult. You are married. When you propose to your wife, you never know the moment, the scenario, the environment. And I always say that the good things are coming in a natural way.