Piers Morgan Uncensored - Cristiano Ronaldo's Most Revealing Interview - Part 1

Episode Date: November 4, 2025

Part one of Cristiano Ronaldo's most revealing interview yet with Piers Morgan. The pair discuss Manchester United, retirement, his engagement and upcoming wedding and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christiane, how are you? I'm good, my friend. You? I'm talking, I interview you every three years. And in three years, an amazing amount of stuff happens in your life. Do 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 going to be a good man. You've told Gio you're not going to be too controversial. I say because I share with that I'm going to give interview to you and I say, I promise that I'm going to be a good man.

Do you think you'll keep that promise? Yes. Today yes. Okay, we'll see how you get up. Let's see. I love your...we're in Saudi Arabia, you're home in Riyadh. I love your man cave here, but there's one problem. You know what it is?

I... I guess. Where is the Arsenal shirt and I gave you? I knew it. I mean, where is it? It's inside... 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 Arsumvenger, 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 terrorized 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 signed this kick. And he didn't leave and he signed you that day. True story? This is true story.

As I told you, Pierce is... The pass 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 liked when they win because of that story.

But, you know, I was the life, you know, I was the football. It's all about opportunity. and moments and this is what I see and I took that opportunity but to be honest and you know that I'm never lie or sometimes well sometimes I'm I'm lie for a good ways but I was nearly there in Arsenal to be honest but I think my story not not will change a lot will be very similar 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 not what it could have not too much do you think will win the league this season Arsenal the top of the league could be it's possible I think the Premier League it's the level of the teams is it's very very similar I mean The top ones. But, you know, the Premier League, it's always, you never know what's going to happen. It's very, very difficult league, very tough league. But Manchester 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 me. your lips. Yes, Arsenal can win the league.

Yes, Arsenal can win the league. Thank you. I've got my sound bite. It's possible. You mentioned Manchester, you're probably talking about City, not the United. Last time we spoke with a very different situation. You'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 the United you think and how can it get fixed well as as you mentioned goods for me it's it's I'm sad because of the club that one of one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart because of the obvious reasons. You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future. As Manchester United have so many years ago. Nikobar, Kerry's, Roy Kins, Beckham's.

They become a big player, but they had youth. So Manchester United right now doesn't have a structure. I hope that change in the future, present future, because the potential of the club, it's 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 bad you they're doing? Of course, of course, because I was to play there

so many, many years, I win the Champions League. I win the Golden Ball, I win like 12, 13, 14 titles there. So 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 Amarin. What do you make of him? You do to his best. What are going to do? Miracles? Miracles is impossible. We say in Portugal miracles is only in Fatima. And I don't know if you don't know this, that expression, they start to smile because they don't know. You know the Fatima? And you're not going to do miracles.

Even the players, Manchester, they have a good players, but they don't have some of them. The mine, what is Manchester United is. billionaire last week. 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 billionaires so many years ago.

I 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, eh? Do you know exactly what you were?

Of course. Really? Precisely and a percent, but of course you have to take care of your stuff. It's normal. I'm not like Like that to look 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, the... And I have control, you know, because it's my life, is my money, you know. That moment when you realized you're a billionaire, what was that like?

I 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 want a... a golden ball because you make your own goals you make your own goals everyone make these own goals to build a house to have a car or it was my goal to reach that number it was yes yes honest it's not I'm not obsessed for the money

because I think the money you can help it can help you to 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 what we have. There is something that I learned during the time that financial is important, the money is important, but other things they 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, the Eagles, 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 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.

Tiger Woods, Roger Federer. You could talk about Michael Jordan, but there are very few, Cristiano. 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't call me khaki or whatever, but the numbers they 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, Christian 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. Don'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, one of my goals. And my motivation is still to say, But money is continued to do, continue is your motivation for football. No, but helps, in my opinion. You said about records that you don't chase record, 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, then obviously the brand is maintained, the revenues come in, right?

I mean, it's all performance-related. This 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 is together. You understand? So it was my plan. If you asked me, you thought that you will reach so quick?

Probably no. But I knew that I will reach that. And it was good. Show me your left hand. Which one? Do you want to see 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 on a poor man, Cristiano, but this arm is... It's not that much. I mean, this watch alone. When they see Christiano, when they see the right, they say, Wow, Christiane have died, but sometimes it's fake. But they don't realize because I'm Christiana, nobody believe that is fake. I'm joking.

It's a present. I'm going to say no. People give me... Really? Georgine offered me this in 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. Ooh. Most expensive... The most expensive thing I bought. A plane. A plane?

Yes. I love the way you're going. You had to think about that. But it was. What kind of plane? I have my plane since I've 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 a Global Express. Nice. I mean, that's a sign, isn't it? That's a moment when you have your own plane, isn't it? Since I had 13 years old, so I have 10 years the plane, but I change for a better one now. But as I say, it is for me, it's... is I tell you before the money gives you 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 any more about

that for me the most important things it's I want to live the next chapter of my life with not expensive costs let's say in that way because they are My dreams is already gone. I mean, when I was young, 20s, until 13s, I used to love cars and everything to drive. I'm not to have that passion anymore. Planes I just have because I need because I'm a normal person. I cannot be in airports. I buy because of that.

And of course, let's say, it's, it's, help me, the world, 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 say, after the 14th, you really know and you start to live the life. And this is what I start to feel. That for me, the money is good, but it's not important anymore. But 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. But 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 Christiana like? What's he really like? What's he really, really like?

And I say, you know, like Christiana, he's just a normal guy. You know, we message a lot and you're just a regular, and you're like one of my mates, right? You don't carry with you the heirs 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. Make sure that doesn't happen. Gio 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 it before, and this is what I feel. I don't care of it. You know me. I don't care what the people are thinking about me. if they say that I'm Kirki, 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 11 in football score goals, which is still maintain me happy. And I'm still happy when I go training,

compete in the training. And I think I'm at normal people. I'm not I don't spend money for example I'm not go shopping if I go anywhere I can buy whatever I want but I don't need that anymore sometimes I 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 John I drive that car it's like investment what was the car Mercedes sorry I have Mercedes as well I buy Bugatti as well turbulon but it's investment how many cars have you got now I don't know you don't know how many cars I don't count the cars series I don't count I love how

you make that sound so normal but it's normal you don't know how many cars it's a fact 10 20 30 40 50 yeah maybe 50 50 60 honest if you have to bet I say I don't know 41 for the I don't know piece I don't know I swear I swear for my kids what's your favorite I love the Bugatti's. Yeah. Yes, I have a few and they are different beasts. Do you ever drive these cars?

I never drive. Really? 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, 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. they go to the garage. But it's honest. For me the cars is not any more a passion. Do you ever drive? Yes. You do? I drive. You can drive around. I'm not driving a lot in Saudi because we used to trading in afternoon and I go always with driving. And the traffic is terrible. And the traffic is terrible. But for example, when we go,

when we're coming back to home, it's not traffic. So yesterday, you know, the Al-Nasar, 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'm not driving like in Saudi like one year well six months let's say you mentioned goals you just scored two more goals for Portugal you then got substituted in the 77th minute and the opposition Hungary scored a last minute equalized 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 them 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 school your hat-trick? Honest, even the goals. Sometimes we think the easy way will be the better way. 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 results to one to put another another player to save the result that is fresh that they can help to defend more the team I understand and a part of that I 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 have scored so many atrix, so one more, one less for me. Your 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 scored 948 career goals now. So last week... 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?

The first goal I scored professional. More than it is, yes. What was the goal? You should see the goals. Is it good? Unbelievable. Really? The second goal?

No, the first goal? Unbelievable goal. So you started with an absolute worldly? You didn't see this goal? No, maybe. See me. I made a video of you to prove here. I need a video of this goal.

Unbelievable. This is what it was the most. moment that the people say listen this guy gonna be a good really yes okay let's look at this oh oh step over oh what it first in wait that is a that's a banger and the shirt came off good huh oh what a goal even the commentators they say this is why this players that don't stay longer in our league with 17 for me it was a big boom for me like it was a big boom for me like Did 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, this, okay, I love this.

No, this is give you confidence for yourself. You say, wow, I play with the men's. So they want to stop me. But even with 17, I was quicker than them, smarter than them, and scored. This is where you start to feel that you're going to be, I'm not going to say golden ball or whatever. but a good professional player. Who's been your favorite player to watch ever? To mention one player, I think it's not...

It's the 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 got to watch that because of this guy? I watch the game. I watch the players. To watch something because of one player, no. I watch, for example, Brazil, because the players. They have many players.

They have Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Cacca, yes. I watch, I don't know, Argentina because of the players that 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, many, many, many great players and stars players, which is you enjoy more than the other ones, of course. But to follow a game only,

because one player no. Could you imagine retiring? Yes. Have you got in your head an age when that may happen? Soon, 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 easy guy to cry. I'm not keep my feelings. I'm honest. I'm open. There you are. Yes. It will be very, very difficult, yes. But peace, I've prepared my future since 25, 26, 27 years old.

I prepare my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure that... 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? Anything or have you accepted? Nothing, I think. Nothing, 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 has the beginning, everything has the hand. So I think I will be prepared, I think. But I have another, 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 and I want to with the team. Kind of a rush.

I want to follow Christiano Jr. because it's in the moment of the age that they're a little bit stupid, they're doing stupid things. Normal, because I did the same. I want to, Matteo, 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 OFC, the fights. I like paddle, for example, it's our main sport. I hear you very good at my sport.

Are you good at battle? We learn me and my friends, my close of 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 a YouTuber, of course. But I'm... Well, you've got 76 million subscribers. I want to be there. And you got that about three months.

I mean, you say you're not want to be a YouTuber. You're one of the biggest YouTubers in the world. I struggled for three years to get to four million and thought I was a genius. You come along and in about three minutes you ever took me. I'm going to spend more time on that to learn, to do it more stuff. I think I'm going to do it the funny things. And things that I'm not used to do it 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. I leave football 24 hours, let's say, in that way, to do the right things, to perform. because by my age the things is 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 a 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 makes you happy. What are 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 after shave, I use it. It's very successful, I have to say.

I mean, people go, oh, you smell like Christyana. So, you know. But you've got so many different things you're involved with. Which are the big ones for you that you're most engaged with, do you think? YouTube, we start to do a few things with the 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'm not, I mention off the interview. I'm a person that always want to learn, not only in the business way, but also in a life for the new chapter of my life, that you start to get a little bit more mature in some decisions. You have, I don't want to reveal,

secret but you have a video game room around the corner with about eight consoles and I noticed you've got an e-sports award there I mean you love all this stuff yeah it's it's the future as you mentioned these sports it's 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 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 A-game. Let's turn to the other more important deal you did recently. Which one? I do so many. Your engagement to Gio. That's the most important. Come on.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. biggest big. If not you kill me. Yes, it's true. No, you've managed to resist getting married until you're not to your 40s. Well you haven't got married and you're 40 right but finally finally you've proposed so talk me through this what made you decide to finally pop the question? I'm always saying the things the good things coming in a right time and sometimes you need time to realize that you don't do it some mistakes. I don't mean in that way.

I'm going to propose her because I think it's the moment. Not only because it's the mother of my kids, but it's the person that I love more. It's the love of my life. So I think it's the right moments. As you say, you have 14 years old. Nothing going to change. Nothing going to change just because we're going to change.

just because we're going to marry. It's just a beautiful shepherd of the life. You know, it's good. How did you propose? It was funny. It was funny. I knew it that one day I will do that. But I don't know which way.

You know, it's difficult. I don't know, you are married. Yes. When you propose your wife, you never know the moment, the scenario, the environment. And I always say that the good things coming in a natural way. Football, life, opportunities, married.

And it's coming in a funny way. Because she asked me something, she asked me for a ring to offer her because it was one of her dream to have like a good stone. And I work, work hard, work hard. and I finally I find what she loved it and I speak with my guy and I say listen keep it we're gonna do it the dinner tonight and after I're gonna offer to her and this is what we did but something after I stay with her alone and one of my friends they take the phone and filming which is they never did before I know that friends for 10 years they never do this

Not even ask me to take a picture, imagine. And they're filming me. I say, wow, weird. And after, it was like 1 o'clock, 1 a.m. My daughters wasn't a bed sleeping, Alana and Eva. And one, my friend gave me the ring to offer you. I was given the ring, and my two girls coming, and they say, Daddy, you're going to give the...

ring to mom and you're going to ask her to be married and I say wow it's the right moment to say yes I say yes it wasn't a timing and GUD didn't wow yes yes I knew it that I will do it that one day but you hadn't planned it for that no and it was the moment that my daughter's coming and I say yes now is the time this is what I want and I offer because my daughter sent that my friends filming and were they there the daughters they was yes did you get on bended knee I didn't do that because I was like prepare and was a beautiful moment did you make a little speech or did you just say yes I did and I was

recorded what kind of thing were you say I say simple please come on I'm not like romantic guy I am very romantic I'm not very romantic guys I'm not very romantic guy I'm not that kind of guys they bring flowers every week to the home this is a big moment one per month let's say not every week but I'm romantic in my way you understand but it was beautiful and I knew it that there was the woman of my life so I did that and I hope that I do it did she hesitate or of course no no but one thing that I love it she didn't care about the ring She asked me if I was, if I speak the truth.

Say, honest, honest? Yes, yes, honest. I want you, blah, blah, blah, I want to marry you, blah, blah, blah. But she didn't believe. But it was funny. Did you cry? I didn't cry, but I was like, because I see his reaction, I had the tears on my eyes, yes. And was that because of the cost of the ring?

Both. Oh, don't see that right. Both. I mean, I've seen here. human beings get blinded by that ring when she walks around. This is big, I know. Last time we spoke, you'd gone through a very sad period as a family. You've lost your baby's son and you talked very movingly about that.

That kind of experience can damage a relationship or it can make it stronger. Clearly, in your case, it must have made things stronger for you. Do you feel that? I feel that we always support each other. Sometimes it's like in a relationship you have good moments, but moments is part of the journey. But probably in that period we consolidate more the relationship because of what you say. But even, this is something that I learned by the time. Even in the worst moments, you have to make the things smooth.

Because not only when you are there, There, in a good moment, that's not going to come the bad moments. Try to find the balance for everything in a good moment and in a bad moment, back to the basic points, a baseline. And this is something that I learned. It was difficult periods, but it was nice, honest, it was nice, because I learned so many things, I saw our other perspective of the life, my daughter now which is three years old she's the queen of the family she's the who make the house happy you know everything happened for a reason I believe on

that so we are a blessed family so I'm proud for that for those who don't know Gia I've had the pleasure of meeting her a few times what is it about her that made her so special to you? Well, she have so many things, good things that I love it, that I believe she's unique in that way, which is she take care of me, which is very important, she takes care of the family, she takes care of the house, which is take a lot of work. If you want to be the opposite, I will, I'm not, will deal with that.

Man cannot deal with that, honest. and she's special for me because a part of his quality is beautiful body and everything that I like she's a person that understands me and take care of me and my family so this is what I'm looking for was your mom happy you told me yes I believe they're happy my old family it's it's It's something that I think that it's good for our family, not just for my family, kids, wife, but also for my mom, brother, sisters. I think they are all happy because they see that I'm a good man now.

So they are happy and as I say and I continue to repeat. It's a new chapter of the life. Do you have a wedding there yet? Not yet. We plan to do it after the World Cup with the trophy. Do you know where you want to get married? We didn't plan not because she's not the person that they like big parties, she don't like it. She like private things.

So I will respect these decisions because I'm not... More importantly, have you decided on where the Stag party is going to be and can I go? Why not? Thank you, Christia. I don't do it in the interview. Oh no. Is he organising it? Jose, Jose organized everything.

Our CEO organize everything. Have you got a stack part? I mean, we'll be talking a week somewhere. Perfect. You are part of the family. Thank you, Christian. When you were like 13, you were so hungry at the Sporting Lisbon Academy and two ladies in the McDonald's would give you free burgers.

I hear that you were walking through an airport and you randomly bumped into one of them. You know when you see some person and you recognize straight away even, even 20 years after. President Trump, a friend of mine, was given a CR7 shirt, and you wrote on it to President Donald J. Trump playing for peace. What did you mean by that?

It's one of the guys that can change or help to change the world. You lost one of your Portugal colleagues, Diego Jotta. I didn't believe. When they sent me messages, I cry a lot. It was very, very difficult. moments for every for the country for families for friends for teammates are

the bastard very very very sad news if you ask me christian is a dream to win the World Cup no it's not a dream but it shouldn't define you as a no to define what to define if I'm one of the best of the history to win one competition six games seven games you think it's fair