Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to talk about his €94 million transition from Manchester United to Real Madrid.
In the second part of his lengthy interview with AS after his Bernabeu presentation, Ronaldo guaranteed his new fans that he shares the same determination and motivation as his boss, Florentino Perez.
“The president has very good ideas and I like them,” he said. “He constructs a team with very good players and as such, it becomes easier to create a winning project.
“Florentino has a different mentality to all the other presidents and I am thankful to him for bringing me here. I believe that he has made the right decision and I want to prove that to him,” he added.
When asked if he knew Perez personally before arriving at Madrid, Ronaldo replied, “We only spoke on the phone and he said to me that he was calm because he knew that I would be happy in Madrid.
“I finally met him the day of my presentation. He’s a serious but also a sensitive man. He was very affectionate with me and I hope I never ever disappoint him.”
The Portuguese ace then went on to talk about his ambitions as a Blanco as well as the expectations placed upon his shoulders by fans, who regard him as the man who will help put an end to Barcelona’s domination.
“I like that the fans are ambitious and that they know that we can win titles and regain our supremacy in Spanish and European football,” he affirmed.
“It’s true that we must always keep our feet on the ground and not expect to win everything in one go. It’s clear that our objective is to win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, but if we do not take things one step at a time, it will be a big mistake.
“As for myself, I have the kind of hunger as though I have not won anything yet. This is the next stage of my life and my career and I have the same ambition as when I began. I am starting from scratch and I want to win more titles in Madrid than I did at Manchester.
“Once you’ve played at United, there are only so many other places you can go that’s better. And that’s why I chose to join Madrid. This is a club who are accustomed to fight for and win everything. And that’s what I like. To play and win titles.”
Finally, CR9 was asked if is craving to avenge defeat to Barcelona in last season’s Champions League final, especially since this season’s showpiece event will be held in Madrid’s own backyard.
“I do not like the word revenge, but it’s true that on that night, I had envisioned winning back-to-back Champions League titles and it hurts to lose, eventhough I wasn’t thinking whether or not that would’ve been my last game for United. That night I did not think about my future. I only wanted to win. How I wish I can erase that memory.
“But now, I am fully aware that the 2010 final is at the Bernabeu. I want to win that title with Madrid and do it in this beautiful stadium. To win the Champions League at the Bernabeu would be very special and I have a feeling we can achieve it.”
Ronaldo has returned to Portugal to see out the final few days of his vacation. He is expected to start his very first training session as a Merengue next week.
KS Leong, Goal.com