Cristiano Ronaldo interview: Manchester United star opens up to Piers Morgan

GOOD NIGHT!

So, that's all from me for this evening.

Check back with us tomorrow from 6.30pm as we build-up to what promises to be a fascinating second half of Ronaldo's interview with Morgan.

Good night!

90 MINUTES WITH RONALDO: PART ONE

Well, Cristiano Ronaldo certainly didn't hold back there did he?

Don't fancy scrolling back through the blog to see the biggest lines?

No problem... we've recapped the first half of his interview with Piers Morgan into one handy article - just click the link below.

RONALDO'S INTERVIEW DIVIDES TWITTER

Ronaldo's interview has divided fans on social media, with some fiercely supporting the Manchester United striker and others strongly critical of his decision to speak publicly.

Here's a quick look at how Twitter has reacted...

HOW TO WATCH PART TWO

Watch the second half of 'Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo' at 8pm on Thursday on TalkTV.

Find TalkTV on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 and Sky Glass 508, live and on demand on the TalkTV app, streaming services and at TalkTV.

COMING UP IN PART TWO...

So that's it from the first half of Piers Morgan's fascinating 90 minute interview with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Part two will be broadcast on TalkTV tomorrow night at the same time.

It is expected to include Ronaldo speaking in depth about Erik ten Hag, the Glazers and his rivalry with Lionel Messi.

For those unable to watch the show live, we'll be providing text updates of the interview and all the best reaction to the most anticipated football interview of the year.

Stick with us right here as we recap the key lines from the first half of the interview and the reaction online.

RONALDO THANKS FERDINAND, KEANE

Ronaldo has gone on to thank Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane, who have been supportive of him in recent months.

"It means a lot because I was in the dressing room with them. They are part of my journey. They are very good guys, not just because they speak good about me but because they were there in the dressing room. They know football.

"To hear ex colleagues criticise you.... it is easy to criticise. They have jobs on television where they must criticise."

RONALDO ON ROONEY

When asked about Rooney's recent criticism of him, Ronaldo says he "doesn't know why" his former teammate has attacked him and questions if he's "jealous".

“I really don't understand people like that. Or if they want to be in a cover of the paper of the news, or they want new jobs or whatever.”

When asked if it is jealousy, Ronaldo replies: "Probably... because I am still playing and he is finished. I'm not going to say I'm better looking than him.. but it's true!"

PIERS: YOU'RE TOO FAMOUS!

Piers Morgan tells Ronaldo he is the most followed person on Instagram.

Ronaldo replies: "It means a lot for me, it means people like me. That I am charismastic. To be good looking helps too..."

NEWS COVERAGE HAS BEEN LIES

Ronaldo says has blasted the recent news coverage of him as “garbage” and “hard to deal with” and has accused the media of lying about him and his family.

When asked if he cares about the people who hate him, Ronaldo adds: “I care for the people who like me. I'm not wasting time, for the people who don't like me. I think it's a waste of time, these people are not interesting in my life.”

'PEOPLE ONLY TRY TO BRING NEGATIVITY'

Ronaldo is now speaking about the criticism he has received this season.

“I'm used to live like that because, you know, I was 37, I know and I learned many things. When you are at the down of the wave, when you are at the top of the wave, you don't realise and you don't see things that you don't see before… Which is, I appreciate to have bad moments, to see which people are on your side, who will criticise you more. Because they're looking for that. They don't like to see successful people.

“The people only try to bring negativity. And I felt the last four or five months that, not only for me, but even for my family as well, for Georgina, especially around the world, the press criticise me even more...sometimes I don't understand.

“But I still believe that the jealousy is part of that. They want to cover many things that helps to shine other things. But listen, Piers, I know I'm 21 years in top of the game, so I know all the takes, so for me it's not a problem. It's hard when you are a little bit down to listen to this criticism.”

RONALDO WANTS FUTURE WEDDING

Ronaldo says he wants to marry Georgina in the future but has no current plans for a wedding.

“I'm not thinking now about that but I can see in the future I think I deserve, she deserves, but it's something that's not coming now in my plans but in the future is yes, I want.”

'IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO FOOTBALL'

Ronaldo says the support of his partner Georgina was crucial when he returned to football.

“It was difficult but always have good support from my family. And Georgina told me ‘Go, go to play, go enjoy to do what you'd like to do.’ It’s going to help for you to forget a little bit, the situation.

“It was difficult, but at the same point that thing helps for you to, you know, to not think too much about that even though training was good. But as you know, the football going so fast and you know trainings, games, even the national team, the things going so fast you don't even have time to settle and say what's going on, you know, because the things are going so fast. But it was good help, Georgina helped me a lot to give me that stability, to say ‘listen’.

“We help each other. But she struggled when she was young, which is, she now, she'll look at life with a different eyes, even though she's young, but she's suffered. She was born in Argentina, she has issues with her family as well, she lived alone.

“She has an interesting life and histories as well... And she helped me a lot. She's very mature for this age, we help each other sometimes when I'm a little bit down she pushes me up and I do it the other side. So we are a nice couple and we help each other so I'm really pleased that she's on my side.”

RONALDO PAYS TRIBUTE TO QUEEN

Ronaldo posted a tribute to Queen Elizabeth on social media after her death earlier this year.

"They had been so kind with me.. this is why I did what I did."

RONALDO RECEIVED LETTER FROM ROYALS

He reveals he also received a letter of condolence from the royal family.

“I never, ever expect that. Never. I have the opportunity now to say, all English community, thank you a lot for that, [it] kind of helped with me…

“I received a letter from The Queen’s family as well … And, surprised me a lot… This is why I say, I respect a lot, the English community, English people, because they've been very kind with me. And in that difficult moment of my life… [the support] was spectacular.

“The way they treat me, me and my family in that difficult moment, I should say straight to the camera thank you, ‘Thank you, to the all English community that helped me in that moment’.”

'I TALK TO THEM ALL THE TIME'

Ronaldo says he keeps the ashes of his son and his late father at home and talks to them regularly.

“For sure, for sure. His ashes is with me, like my Daddy, they are here in the house…Yes is something that I want to hold for the rest of my life and not throw to the ocean or to the sea.

“I keep with me. They are next to my dad... I have a small church... Yes. Chapel. And I keep my daddy and my son [there].

“I talk with them every time and they are by my side. You know they helped me to be a better man, to be a better person, to be a better father. I am really proud of the message they send me, especially my son.”

RONALDO OPENS UP ON TRAGIC DEATH OF SON

Ronaldo has gone on to speak about the tragic death of his son, Angel, who died at birth - with his twin sister, Bella, surviving.

He speaks about the harrowing moment of returning from the hospital with his partner Georgina to explain to his older children what had happened.

“In the beginning. Gio are arriving home and the kids start to say where's the other baby? Where's the other baby?

“Of course Cristiano [his eldest son], I had a conversation with him in the day, because he's 12 years old, he knows, understands everything, and I had a nice conversation with him. We cried together in his bedroom and explained and it's kind of - he doesn't understand, he does understand, but in same way he was a little bit confused.

“The other ones in the beginning, on the table, the kids start to say “Mom where is the other baby bla bla bla - and you in the beginning they start to say because, you know, she had a little bit of a belly because they had two, it's a hard process. And after one week I say, ‘Let's be up front and let's be honest with the kids, let's say that, Angel, which is the name, they go to the Heaven’.

“It's better to say in that way and we start to use that in that way. And the kids always understand, when we had shouts in at the table and they say ‘daddy I did this for Angel’ and they point out for the, for the sky… I like it the most because, you know it's part of their lives and I am not gonna lie to my kids to say the true, which is it was a difficult process but in the same way, I become more more father, more friendly with them; they become more close to their Daddy especially me with the Georgina as well.”

RONALDO PRAISES DALOT

Ronaldo complains that young players have it too easy and don't listen to his advice, to Morgan's disbelief.

But the striker then goes on to praise his Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot as an exception.

"At Manchester United, I can mention Diogo Dalot - he is very professional. I have no doubt he is going to have longevity in football. Martinez, Casemiro as well... I will say Dalot."

'I'M AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS'

Despite his recent behaviour, Ronaldo insists he remains an example for younger players to follow.

When asked if he gives advice to youngsters at Old Trafford, Ronaldo replies: “I’m not the kind of guy who likes to give advice as I prefer to be an example.

“Because I'm an example. I'm there every morning and do the same stuff. I'm probably the first one to arrive and the last one to go out. I think the details speak for itself… This is why I say, I like to lead by example.”

RONALDO PRAISES SOLSKJAER

Ronaldo has a much better opinion of former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked in November in later replaced with Rangnick.

“I love Solskjaer. I think he was a top person, because what I keep inside my heart, it's the heart of the persons. And Ole for me, is a top person… It's hard. It's hard to assume [the role] after Sir Alex Ferguson, but I think he did a good job for sure.

“You need much more time. But I'm never doubt that you're going to be a good coach in the future. But it was a good experience. I was, I was so pleased to work with him even for a short period.”

RONALDO SLAMS RANGNICK

When asked if Rangnick knew what he was doing at Old Trafford, Ronaldo gives a blunt answer.

“No, they don't. They knew with the club, very well. But they don't know the main dimension of the club inside, the history of the club.

“Which is, for me, surprised me even more. Which is when you sack Ole Solskjaer, you should bring a top manager, not a Sports Director.”