It was no kept secret that Cristiano Ronaldo's relationship with the Real Madrid board was his biggest reason for leaving Spain. Now, though, the attacker has now gone public, confirming those speculations.
The Portuguese superstar sat down for an interview with France Football in which he discussed an array of topics. His choice of words for Florentino Pérez stood out as it depicted his detiorating ties with the Spanish businessman.
In the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's words, the Real Madrid president saw the 33-year-old only as a "business relationship". It was this loss in affection that resulted in the goalscoring machine's decision to call an end to his unforgettable nine-year spell at Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo had led the Spanish giant to 15 titles prior to his departure, a trophy-laden stint that saw the club win four Champions League titles, three of which came in successive years. However, despite all of this, Cristiano claims he was seen as a dispensable man at the club.
"He only ever looked at me as a business relationship," the attacker told France Football. "I know it. What he told me never came from the heart."
"I felt it inside the club, especially from the president, that they no longer considered me the same way that they did in the start," he added.
"In the first four or five years there, I had the feeling of being 'Cristiano Ronaldo'. Less afterward. The president looked at me through eyes that didn't want to say the same thing, as if I was no longer indispensable to them if you know what I mean."
Cristiano ended up joining Juventus last summer, where he is currently striving after a rocky start. Popular belief is that the former Man United winger left for Serie A after Pérez continued to ignore his wage demands. However, the Portugal captain insists that his motive was not down to money.
"That's what made me think about leaving," Cristiano continued to stress he was not valued any longer by the Merengues president.
With seven goals from 10 games, only one man sits ahead of CR7 in the Golden Boot race
Piatek remains on top but Cristiano is swiftly closing in on the lead.
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"Sometimes I'd look at the news, where they were saying I was asking to leave. There was a bit of that, but the truth is that I always had the impression that the president would not hold me back.
"If it had all been about money, I'd have moved to China, where I would have earned five times as much than here [at Juventus] or at Real. I did not come to Juve for the money. I earned the same in Madrid, if not more. The difference is that, at Juve, they really wanted me. They told me that and made it clear. They showed me that."
In his interview, the Serie A superstar also opened up about the upcoming Ballon d'Or award, stating his desire to win and his opinion that no other man is more deserving of the prize than himself. On this, he said: "I think I deserve it this year … Yes, I dream of winning the Ballon d'Or for the sixth time and passing, in this case, Lionel Messi."
He also touched upon the issue of the rape allegation brought up against him. The Euro 2016 winner confessed that the reopened case has had a huge effect on his personal life, exceeding a mere tarnished image. On this topic, he said:
"Of course, this story is interfering in my life. I have a partner, four children, an aging mother, sisters, a brother, a family with whom I am very close. Not to mention my reputation, which is that of someone exemplary ... Imagine what it means when someone accuses you of rape, whether you have all that or not. I know who I am and what I did. The truth will out one day. And the people who criticize me or seek to expose my life today, who make it into a circus, these people will see."
"I explained to my partner," Ronaldo continued. "My son, Cristiano Jr, is too young to understand. It's worst for my mother and my sisters. They are stunned, and at the same time very angry. This is the first time I have seen them in this state."
