Cristiano Ronaldo has offered some insight into the relationship he shares with his current Real Madrid teammates, and how it compares to his interactions with those who used to play alongside at Manchester United.
Speaking before the first leg of Madrid’s Champions League match against Roma, Ronaldo was asked whether his lack of attacking chemistry with teammates Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema this season was a result of the three not sharing a good relationship off the pitch, to which he replied: “When I was at Manchester winning the Champions League, with some players like [Ryan] Giggs, [Rio] Ferdinand and [Paul] Scholes our discussions were limited to ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good night’.
“But when we were on the pitch together there was total understanding. I don’t need to go out for dinner with Benzema or Bale. What counts is what happens on the pitch.”
Ronaldo was also questioned about his dip in goal-scoring form since November, with his response comparing both Real Madrid fans and the press to crying children. He said: “It’s like when you always give kids everything and then when you take something away they start to cry. I’ve made the press and fans so used to me always scoring a lot of goals that as soon as I let up for a second, well the journalists don’t cry but they begin writing all sorts of stuff.
“Let’s just say that I would be happy to continue with this not-so-perfect form until the end of the season … If you can name one player who has scored more away goals than me since I arrived in Spain tell me who? No answer? OK. Thank you everyone.”
After this statement, Ronaldo abruptly walked out of the press conference.
