The Portuguese winged wonder faces Inter Milan in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday night, with the Serie A leaders likely to target the FIFA World Player of the Year again, as they did in the San Siro a fortnight ago.
And with Premier League opponents also starting to single out Ronaldo for special treatment, he admits he is beginning to find it difficult controlling his increasingly irate temperament.
“I am a target of course so it is difficult to avoid certain things," he said. "I try to control my anger. Sometimes it’s not easy, though, and it is something I have to improve on.
“Sometimes it is difficult because of the atmosphere in the stadium and the importance of the game. I’m only 24 but I have a lot of experience of big games and that helps because you learn through situations.”
Ronaldo has been at the centre of several flashpoints so far this season, with the former Sporting Lisbon forward retaliating to robust challenges from Celtic’s Scott Brown, Stoke City’s Andy Wilkinson, Spurs defender Michael Dawson and Blackburn midfielder David Dunn, all of which have not been punished.
But the winger says that he considers the rough treatment being dished out in his direction a compliment, with kicking him the only means of stopping him in his tracks.
“If someone kicks me, I get up and I go again," he said. "I am not afraid of being kicked, it is part of the game. I see it as a challenge that they have to kick me to stop me.”
UNITED FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviews archivefor more stuff to read:
Web Exclusives Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Carlos Tevez
Q&A Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistlerooy
One on One David Beckham, George Best
Ask A Silly Question Bryan Robson
Boy's A Bit Special Danny Simpson
Perfect XI Garth Crooks, Bryan Robson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Eric Cantona
What Happened Next? David May, Norman Whiteside
Sing When You’re Winning Dominic Monaghan, Ian Brown
And Another Thing Being a Big Four fan
Plus! Rate United players (and others) on Talentspotter
