Cristiano Ronaldo: Q & A
"I want to be in the first page of history, the same as Maradona and Pele..."
It's been a few months now, how are you enjoying your new life in Madrid?
I'm enjoying it a lot. The club is fantastic. I expected that. The infrustructure is unbelievable. The supporters and the stadium are great.
What's it like to play alongside someone like Kaka at Real Madrid?
When you play alongside fantastic players, it's more easy and Kaka is one of them. He's a great man, he's a great player. I'm really enjoying playing with him.
How do you look back now on very successful spell at Manchester United?
I think I did all the things that I wanted to at Manchester. I won many things in England, in Manchester the Champions League, Cups, leagues. I was really pleased to have been there six years. But my cycle there has finished, now I have a new club and I expect to win what I won in Manchester.
How would you feel if Real Madrid were drawn to play Manchester United in the Champions League, either this season or next?
I don¹t want to play against Manchester. It's a strange feeling if I play against them. But you never know. In the Champions League, everything is possible but I don't want to play against Manchester.
Who are your best friends at Manchester United?
I still have the same friends. I speak sometimes with Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, Nani, Evra, Anderson. I still have the same friends. It's good to know what¹s going on there and the people like to know if I'm happy here and about the things here.
You once described Sir Alex Ferguson as your father figure in football. What's your relationship like now with him?
Mr. Ferguson helped me a lot in my career. I was there six years and he taught me many things. It was fantastic. We won many things together. I keep the same relationship with him. He's a good friend of mine. I like him a lot.
What are you expecting in the upcoming play-off between your nation, Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in the 2010 World Cup?
I expect a difficult game. Bosnia have a strong team, good players, tall players and it will be very difficult. But we have to concentrate on our jobs and play good. We have to win to be in the World Cup. If not, we don't go, it's as simple as that. But I think the team is very confident and we look forward to win.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Let's say you get through the play-off. What would it mean to you to play in South Africa 2010?
I don't want to speak about that now. We have two games and after, yes, I want to speak. It will be amazing if we go to a World Cup.
What are your remaining ambitions in football?
My ambition is to win many trophies, collect many trophies, team and individual. I love to play football. This is my life. Without this, I don't know what I do. This is my life and I want to win as many things as I can.
How would you like the history books to remember you?
I have another seven, eight years in football, or more. If my legs give me a chance to play until 40, I want to play. But I want to be in the first page of history, the same as Maradona and Pele. I want to be there. I know it's very tough but I think it's possible if I carry on like that, to win things. I think it's possible. I know it¹s hard, but in my head, it¹s possible.
Interview with FourFourTwo Malaysia, November 2009
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
‘Scoring in a World Cup is like winning the title – can you imagine millions of people celebrating something you did? It’s insane and made me very proud’: Brazil legend explains how much 2002 goal meant to him
'He already had the ability but didn’t use it because he was afraid to shoot – I said, "You’re a player who has to decide games – you have to take risks, mate"': Liverpool star was forced to become confident by team-mates