Cristiano Ronaldo revealed to former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand the one constant thought going through his “mind” when he is on the pitch.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward has been with current side Al Nassr since 2023 after his second spell with Manchester United came to an end in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo fell down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag and the United legend pulled no punches towards the Dutchman in an interview with Piers Morgan.
The Al Nassr superstar shot to superstardom during his first spell at Old Trafford after former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Sporting CP in 2003.
Ronaldo thrived under Sir Alex Ferguson and shared the pitch with a roster of talent, including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
Ronaldo tells Ferdinand about Euro 2024 moment
Cristiano Ronaldo took part in his 11th major international tournament and sixth European Championship with Portugal this summer at Euro 2024.
Portugal were considered one of the favourites for the tournament in Germany, but Roberto Martinez’s side failed to light up this summer’s Euros.
Ronaldo struggled at Euro 2024 and failed to find the back of the net during Portugal’s run to the quarter-finals, with the Al Nassr star picking up only one assist.
The former Manchester United star also caught the spotlight after he broke down in tears, with Jan Oblak denying Ronaldo from the spot-kick in extra time.
Ronaldo would later compose himself and step up for a penalty in the shootout against Slovenia, with the United legend subsequently converting past Jan Oblak.
Portugal made it past Slovenia in the round of 16 before Roberto Martinez’s men crashed out of the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout defeat to France.
Speaking to former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo said on his YouTube channel: “When you have passion for what you are doing, you can’t be worried about how you’re feeling.
“For example, I cried the day I missed the penalty… when I cried, it’s not because I felt that if I don’t score Portugal will be eliminated, and the world will collapse on me. It’s not because of that.
“People, they don’t know me. Imagine that [in] the last 27 penalties, you score. And in that period, you feel bad for yourself.
“The people who come to the stadium, your kids, your mum, your girlfriend, everyone. I feel sad because of that.”
Ronaldo shares his message with Ferdinand
Ronaldo ruled out retirement from international duty after Euro 2024 and the Portugal captain is widely tipped to play at the next World Cup in 2026.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted that he faces a “lot of pressure” after he tells himself that he is the “best player in the world.”
“I didn’t even think about [Portugal losing],” he said.
“I felt sad because of the pressure I put on myself since I was 11 years old.
“‘Cristiano Ronaldo you are the best player in the world,’ I’m always thinking that in my mind. And I put a lot of pressure on myself [because of that].
“So, when things go wrong, you feel that. But I love that, I know how to deal with that.
“But when I missed the penalty, I felt bad for myself, for the fans, family – not because of other stuff.
“You have to express yourself. For me, if you hide this stuff, you’re not being yourself.”
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