Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out on bad United spell, records and retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out on his time at Manchester United prior to joining Al-Nassr, and a variety of other topics ahead of their Euro 2024 Qualifiers with Portugal. 

He has acknowledged that his second season at United was a career low, ending with a mutual termination of his contract. He eventually left Europe to sign for the Saudi Arabian club, and is expected to be their ambassador for years to come. 

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out on United, records and more 

On his second spell at United, here is what he had to say: 

“There is no time for regrets in this life. Even if we don’t do so well, it’s part of our life,” Cristiano Ronaldo told a news conference before Thursday’s match with Liechtenstein. “When we are at the top of the mountain, it’s hard to see what’s down here and many times I couldn’t. I feel like I’m better prepared now because I can see some things. I’m a better man now.

“I think that everything in life happens for a reason. I’m often grateful to go through some difficult things so I can see who is really on my side. At the tough times, you see who is on your side. It wasn’t a very good phase in my life, in my career, first on a personal level and then professionally.”

“It was all in the balance after the World Cup,” Ronaldo said of the possibility he would retire after last year’s World Cup. “I reflected with my family and then we came to the conclusion that it was not time to throw in the towel.

“I learned a lot from it and I’m very happy to be back. The coach says he wants me in the squad. I feel that I still have a lot to give and I want to keep it going.”

With his very next appearance for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo will become the highest capped international player of all-time. Here is what he had to say about the latest record for him: 

“Records are always positive,” Ronaldo said. “They are my motivation. I like to break records and this record is special. I’ll be really proud if it happens, but I want to keep playing even more games, I don’t want to stop here.”