Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA Interview

Cristiano Ronaldo is, on current form, undisputedly Real Madrid’s best player. Not only has the Portuguese scored 23 of his side’s 48 goals in this season’s La Liga, but his quality, hard work and will to win have made him a fans’ favourite for Los Blancos and set the benchmark for his team-mates to follow.

Set to turn 26 on 5 February 2011 and now a much more mature figure both on the field and in his dealings with the media, the former Manchester United and Sporting star spoke to FIFA.com about, among other topics, his sparkling displays for Real, their current form and coach Jose Mourinho.

With his burning ambition and insatiable hunger for goals, Ronaldo never stops working on his game or striving for football’s biggest prizes. Yet given his dazzling record in front of goal, does he feel he may have reached his peak?

“I’ve got the same attitude I’ve always had,” said the player from the island of Madeira. “My team-mates are in good form and I’m feeling really confident. The goals are flowing because the team’s playing well. I just want to keep this form going, but without setting myself any targets because there are still a lot of games left. I’ve still got plenty to offer in all the competitions we’re involved in.”

And though he will not be drawn on personal goals, 'CR7' was frank when it came to his club’s aims for 2011. “Real Madrid must not go two years without winning anything," he declared. "Yes, I’m a standard bearer for the club but no more than any of the other players. We’re a team and we have to play and think like a team. You can’t think in an individual way. I’m hopeful that this year we’re going to win major honours.”

One of the main factors behind the attacker's faith in his team is coach Mourinho. Much like Ronaldo, opinions of ‘The Special One’ vary wildly, yet among his current and former charges feelings of affection, respect and admiration are universal.

“He’s a coach with a very special kind of charisma," explained Ronaldo. "I think he’s the best around at the moment. The titles he’s won speak for themselves. He’s won silverware at every team he’s been at, which is something you only achieve if you’re a born winner.

"It’s very exciting and motivating to be working with him. I didn’t know his methodology before but now I’m amazed at how good he is. I’m honoured and proud to be working with him, I hope to keep growing as a player and a person alongside him, and that we win a lot of titles together. He manages to get the maximum, 100 per cent, out of every player. That’s his greatest asset and it is inevitably reflected out on the pitch.”

Nor did the 2008 FIFA World Player neglect to mention the influence that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had on his transformation from raw youngster to world-beater. “I learned so much with Ferguson," said the Portugal captain. "He’s like a footballing father figure to me. He’s a great man, a great friend and someone who’s very close to my heart.”

Able to operate on either flank, or centrally in midfield or attack, Ronaldo arguably wreaks the most havoc in a more advanced position. “We lost our striker Gonzalo Higuain (the Argentinian is currently recovering from an operation on a slipped disc), but the good news is that Kaka’s fit again," he said. "He’s on form, is confident and is ready to help the team.

“Will I have to play as a centre-forward? I’ll play wherever the coach thinks is the best position for me. I’m not used to playing as a No9, but if I need to do so that’s fine with me. The gaffer knows better than anyone who should play and where.”

Gerard Pique Fifa Interview

How did you feel after being voted into the 2010 FIFA/FIFPro World XI?

Gerard Pique: Very happy. I know that everything happens very quickly in football, and for that reason I’m very aware of how fortunate I am and want to enjoy every minute. What’s more, the fact that it was my fellow players that voted for me is a real sign of recognition.

Including you, there are six Barça players in that World XI, five of whom are products of the club’s youth system.

The fact that five of those players came from La Masia is very important, because it means that those people who put their faith in home-grown players are now reaping the rewards. Besides which, Barcelona didn’t have to pay anything to sign them and they’re now among the best players in the world. That means a lot to the club and to the fans too, who can relate to these players because they’re home-grown.

In your opinion, what is La Masia’s secret formula?

More than anything, the footballing standards they set there, which put the emphasis on looking after the ball, never risking it, never giving it away, always choosing the right pass and perfect control. And on a personal level, it teaches you that football isn’t the be all and end all, that you also have to be honest, hard-working and a good friend off the pitch.

Do you think that having so many youth-team players in the first-team squad has been key to the club’s recent success?

Definitely, because we know each other inside-out. The fact there’s such a good atmosphere in the dressing room is a direct result of that. And in football terms, our results speak for themselves.

You made the unusual step of leaving Barcelona only to return later in your career. Why do you think things didn’t go as well for you at Manchester United as they are now at Barça?


I was just 17 when I joined United. I came on a lot there, by training in the first-team squad with players like Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. I think I was too young , and barring my path were two of the best centre-backs in the world in Rio and Nemanja Vidic, who Sir Alex Ferguson rated more highly. But it was a very good experience, I still get on well with the coach and my former colleagues and I think it was a very useful period.

You then rejoined Barcelona, at Pep Guardiola’s behest. What makes him such a special coach?

The fact that he makes you understand the game. He doesn’t just give you orders, he also explains why. That makes you a better footballer because you learn the reasoning behind his instructions. That gives everything meaning.

Guardiola has also brought in new methods, such as ending the practice of players having to spend the nights before games in a hotel.

He has a different way of thinking and he’s always been consistent, in good times and bad. I love the fact that even when the team’s not winning and he receives criticism, he sticks to his guns. He’s a coach who doesn’t let what’s going on around him get to him, and he’s got a lot of self-belief.

What can you tell us about Guardiola’s tactical nous?


He’s got a lot of tactical variations up his sleeve. But however we line up, we always stick to Barça’s footballing philosophy, which revolves around keeping possession and using the ball well. Using that as a basis, we can shift things around quite a lot, setting our stall out with three or four at the back or varying the midfield line-up, because every one of us knows what he has to do. That gives us an edge.

There’s no doubt that 2010 was an unforgettable year in your career. Which was your personal highlight?


The World Cup Final with Spain, without a doubt. The whole country came together as one, which is quite a feat, but football has the power to do that and we were the ones who pulled it off. And it’s not just that, it’s also the things we experienced over there: being in South Africa for a whole month, meeting so many people and getting to know team-mates who you may not have known before but who’ve ended up becoming close friends.

Having won virtually every honour in the game by the age of 23, how do you stay motivated?

By simply remembering the moments after you’ve won something and how happy that made you feel. You try to always keep those moments fresh in your mind so you can repeat them. Winning is a lovely feeling and you miss it when you lose. That’s what motivates you.

After victory at South Africa 2010, Spain’s performances have been somewhat hit-and-miss. Why do you think this is?

Listen, in qualifying matches for EURO 2012 we’ve played really well and won all our games. The defeats came in Argentina and Portugal, against two great national sides. I think if there was ever a time to allow ourselves the luxury of losing, it’s now, since we’re world champions and they were both friendlies. That said, 4-1 and 4-0 aren’t acceptable results for us, and we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

You’re one of the most active Spain internationals when it comes to Twitter. How important are social networking services to the career of 21st century footballers?

It’s a good tool for staying in touch with your followers. I think it’s positive for them to know a bit more about you and for them to realise there’s more to you than your job as a footballer.

Staying on that topic, can you clear up a doubt we had? What does “moc, moc” mean?

(Laughs) Ah, that doesn’t really mean anything. (Laughs again) It’s an expression that me and my friends [Carles] Puyol and Cesc [Fabregas] use on Twitter which means “I’m thinking about you”. It’s also because Cesc lives over in London and sometimes it feels like he’s very far away. It’s a way of bringing us all closer and keeping in touch.

What are you like away from football?

I like to spend plenty of time with my childhood friends, the ones I’ve known all my life and the ones with whom I can be myself. Apart from that I like to go to the cinema, read, use the computer. It’s not very
different from what other young people do nowadays.

Can you see yourself leaving Barcelona again one day?


It’s my home and where I’ve always dreamed of playing. They’re one of the best, if not the best, teams in the world and I’ve got some enormously talented team-mates. I’m not planning on ever leaving.

As part of the Azulgrana backline, is it easy to switch off given your team-mates often have so much of the ball?

Because we have so much of the ball, that can often be tricky. You can even find yourself shocked by the extent we end up dominating games. The problem is that other teams can then catch you unawares on the counter-attack, so you must never let your concentration waver.

Finally, can you tell us who was your idol when you were growing up and who do you look up to in the modern game?

I remember I used to watch Real Madrid’s Fernando Hierro, who I admired despite the fact he played for our eternal rivals. And at the moment there are several players I look up to, Ferdinand and Vidic being two examples, as well as Carles Puyol, who is a great friend and an example to follow.

FIFA Ballon d'Or

So yeah Lionel Messi won Player of the Year (I think it should've been Xavi, but that's my opinion) Well done Leo though, you are a fantastic player, no denying that...so congrats :)

Jose Mourinho won Coach of the Year. I'm so so so so happy about this, cause you know I'm a Real Madrid fan and all. And he is The Chosen One after all!!!!

So here's some photo's of the stars of the night and also a photo of the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.

Enjoy x