Emotional Confession: Ronaldo Reveals What's on His Mind

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly a great footballer, alongside Lionel Messi the best in the world in recent years, but his behavior often gives the impression of a spoiled, sometimes egoistic and arrogant star, reports the Patria News Agency.

However, in an interview with the English newspaper The Times, the Portuguese showed another side of his character, revealing some lesser-known details from his life and career.

-I am not the humblest person in the world, I admit that, I don't like to lie, Ronaldo said and continued:

-But still, I am very humble: I like to learn from others, you can always learn something from the best athletes, improve and get better. That is interesting to me, and such people are humble.

He says he is aware of the criticism against him.

-I don't care if people hate me. They just push me forward. When we play away, the fans are always against me. That's good.

He also has an explanation.

-I need enemies, it's part of the job. Whenever I touch the ball, they always scream. Maybe it bothered me when I was 18-19 years old. Now it's just extra motivation for me.

He also recalled his time at Manchester United.

-It was a great school. Some teammates like Paul Scholes or Gary Neville used to come to training an hour before it was supposed to start. Neville is the greatest professional I have ever seen. Those guys played at the highest level for about ten years. I learned a lot from legends like Giggs. They showed me, for example, how important warming up is before every training session and match.

Ronaldo also bowed to Alex Ferguson.

-I learned a lot from him. I clearly remember what he told me once: 'You are very good, but you don't make decisions. Pass that damn ball!' We are still in contact: he is a great coach, a man, and a person.

He recalled what he told him when he asked to be allowed to visit his sick father in a London hospital before an important match.

-Go and stay as long as you need to stay. Father comes before any match.

Ronaldo grew up in a poor family. He revealed that he did not have a very happy childhood.

-My father was an alcoholic. I saw it. He wasn't the father I dreamed of. Of course, I loved him, but we never talked like I'm talking to you now.

Ronaldo, clearly, wants to be a good example to his son.

-It's easy to get spoiled when you have a spacious bed, as much food as you want, and an expensive car in the garage. Once he asked me to buy him a mobile phone, I replied – no.

-'What do you need a phone for?' I asked. 'So I can call you,' he replied. 'Then take one from Grandma,' I concluded the conversation. You can't control everything, to break the routine, sometimes on Sundays we go for a hamburger and a Coke, but the best gift for a child is education.

He says his son plays football.

-I would like him to be a striker, but he likes the goalkeeper position, he said, laughing.

My son has changed me in many ways, I think differently. He always supports me and is always smiling.

How much longer will he play professional football?

-Another four or five years at most, and then I'll retire, I'll enjoy myself like a king with my family and friends, Ronaldo concluded, writes dnevnik.hr.