Lisbon, Portugal –
Cristiano Ronaldo says his second difficult period at Manchester United has made him a better person, on the eve of becoming the men’s national football team’s most-appeared player.
Ronaldo briefly opened up about his problems at the English club ahead of Portugal’s match against Liechtenstein in Thursday’s European Championship qualifiers.
“There’s no time in this life for regrets. Even if it doesn’t work out, it’s part of our life,” Ronaldo said Wednesday. It’s been hard to see and I haven’t been able to watch it so many times I feel I’m better prepared now because I can see some things I’m a better person now .
Ronaldo, 38, has joined Saudi club Al Nasr after his contract was terminated by United following a television interview.
“I think there is a reason for everything that happens in life,” he said. “I am often grateful to be able to get through difficult situations, so I know who is really on my side.In difficult times, I know who is on my side.” It wasn’t a very good stage in my life, career, first on a personal level, then professionally.”
After being benched in the knockout rounds of the World Cup and walking off the field in tears after losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo says he is motivated and enjoying his time back with the Portuguese national team. He came off the bench in that match to tie Bader Al-Mutawa’s mark of 196 outs for Kuwait.
Portugal’s new manager Roberto Martinez says he still counts on star forwards.
“This record is special. I would be really proud if it happened,” said Ronaldo. “But I want to keep playing and I don’t want to end here.”
Ronaldo has admitted there were doubts about his future with the national team, but it’s all in the past.
“After the World Cup, everything was in balance,” he said. “After some reflection with my family, we have come to the conclusion that it is not time to throw in the towel. I have learned a lot from it. I am very happy to be back.”
