Ronaldo and Piers Morgan: A friendship built on flattery

When Piers Morgan sat down with Cristiano Ronaldo in November 2025, the interview was advertised as a no-holds-barred exchange. Instead, it unfolded as another glossy session of mutual admiration — a conversation where scrutiny took a back seat to self-promotion.

Streamed on TalkTV and across Ronaldo’s record-breaking YouTube channel, the discussion felt less like journalism and more like a friendly catch-up. Both men seemed perfectly comfortable inside the echo chamber they’ve built, leaving viewers to wonder whether honesty had been invited to the table at all.

A friendship of convenience

Morgan’s affection for Ronaldo has been public for years. The outspoken British presenter has evolved from admirer to confidant, often using his platforms to celebrate the footballer’s every achievement. But their bond now appears driven more by flattery than candour.

At one point, Morgan even complimented Ronaldo’s fragrance line: “I know about your aftershave, I use it, it’s very successful. I use it, people say, ‘ooh, you smell like Cristiano.’” It was a telling moment — enthusiastic, indulgent, and not remotely probing.

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What was billed as a “revealing conversation” instead wandered over familiar ground: wealth, fame, and physical longevity. For a player whose career has spanned two decades, Ronaldo’s answers sounded surprisingly defensive — and, at times, detached from reality.

Revisiting old wounds

The pair’s previous interview, in 2022, famously ended Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United. His criticism of then-manager Erik ten Hag, younger teammates, and the Glazer family led to the termination of his contract.

Three years later, he seems just as frustrated. “Right now, they don’t have a structure,” Ronaldo said. “The potential is amazing… but we have to be honest and say we are not on a good path.”

That assessment appears inconsistent with recent developments. According to BBC Sport and Reuters, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have introduced sweeping reforms since taking partial control in 2024. Plans for a new “Wembley of the North” stadium are advancing, and a modernized recruitment model aims for Premier League success by 2028.

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Some of Ratcliffe’s decisions — staff cuts, ticket price hikes — have drawn criticism, yet analysts note that United’s commercial and on-field stability are improving. To be fair, change at a club that size never happens overnight.

Amorim under pressure — or proving a point

Ronaldo also cast doubt on United’s current head coach, Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag in November 2024. “He’s doing his best,” Ronaldo said. “What are you going to do? Miracles? Miracles are impossible.”

Still, Amorim’s record suggests gradual progress. The former Sporting CP boss has brought back intensity, discipline, and a defined tactical identity. United are unbeaten in their last five league matches — modest, perhaps, but meaningful.

Responding to Ronaldo’s comments, Amorim told reporters: “He knows he has a huge impact in everything he says. What we need to do is focus on the future… We are improving. Let’s continue and forget a little bit about the past.”

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That pragmatism captures the new tone at Old Trafford: accountability first, nostalgia later.

Chasing relevance in Riyadh

In Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s scoring numbers remain remarkable. Over the weekend, he converted a penalty in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win over Neom — his 953rd career goal and ninth league strike of the season. Yet outside his loyal fan base, few in Europe are paying close attention anymore.

Ronaldo insists the Saudi Pro League rivals Europe’s top tiers. “If I played in the Premier League now in a top team, I would score the same,” he said. “The Saudi League is much, much better than the Portuguese League, of course.”

Independent analysts disagree. A Guardian survey of global player data ranked the Saudi League outside the world’s top 15 for competitive quality, citing weak defensive organisation and tactical disparity. Even regional sports outlets acknowledge that while stars such as Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez have added glamour, the overall standard still trails far behind Europe’s elite divisions.

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After all, numbers can dazzle — but context matters.

Changing dreams

Perhaps the most striking moment of the interview came when Ronaldo downplayed a goal that once defined him: winning the World Cup. “If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream,” he told Morgan. “To define if I’m one of the best in history, to win one competition? You think it’s fair?”

It was a notable reversal from his emotional 2022 post after Portugal’s quarter-final loss to Morocco, when he called the defeat “the end of my biggest dream.”

Now 40, Ronaldo still captains a Portugal side brimming with talent — from Ruben Dias and Rafael Leão to the emerging Joao Neves. Yet Portuguese commentators have questioned whether his limited mobility may hinder the team at the 2026 World Cup more than it helps.

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The GOAT debate reignited

Predictably, Morgan couldn’t resist revisiting the eternal Ronaldo-versus-Messi debate. Declaring Ronaldo “the greatest player of all time,” the host teed up his friend for an easy response. “Of course,” Ronaldo said, lifting his hands as if the answer were self-evident.

Messi, speaking days later at a business forum in Florida, offered a gentler reflection: “Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement. It was like closing out my entire career with that trophy.”

With eight Ballons d’Or and a record 40 major trophies, Messi’s legacy is already secure — built quietly, without the constant need for public reaffirmation.

A legacy in search of perspective

For all his brilliance, Ronaldo’s biggest battle may now be psychological. He remains a global icon, but each new appearance with Morgan feels less like journalism and more like therapy in front of the cameras.

As their friendship continues to produce interviews more flattering than revealing, one truth endures: Cristiano Ronaldo’s toughest rival may no longer be Lionel Messi — but the reflection of his own past greatness.

Sources: TalkTV, BBC Sport, Reuters, The Guardian, AP, Sky Sports.