Cristiano Ronaldo reveals Ferguson promise ‘was the key to sign for Manchester United’

Launching a new film delving into a year of his life, Cristiano Ronaldo talked expansively about family and football – including a 50 per cent games promise Alex Ferguson made to bring him to Old Trafford.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo poses with former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson on Monday night at a premier for the documentary 'Ronaldo'. Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA / November 9, 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo has no regrets after making an intimate documentary about his life and career, he told a press conference in London to mark the film’s launch on Monday.

Made by the team behind award-winning films about Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse, "Ronaldo" charts Ronaldo's life between Real Madrid's European Cup triumph in 2014 and his third Ballon d'Or crown in January 2015.

The film's revelations includes the story behind Ronaldo's decision to sign for Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2003.

It also includes deeply intimate revelation – a confession by Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores, that she wanted to abort him; Ronaldo talking openly about his brother and late father’s struggles with alcoholism.

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He also defends his decision not to disclose the identity of his son Cristiano’s mother, but when asked if he felt he had opened up too much, the Madrid superstar replied: “Maybe, but I just had fun.

“I don’t regret anything. I feel unbelievable. When you do something people will find reason to criticise you, but it’s normal.”

The film captures intimate moments at home between Ronaldo and his five-year-old son – who he dubs “my successor” – and shows him relaxing with friends including his agent, Jorge Mendes.

The Portugal captain, 30, discusses his obsession with winning the Ballon d’Or, which he has won for the past two seasons after seeing his great Barcelona rival Lionel Messi walk away with it for the previous four years.

“I’ve started seeing him as a person, not a rival,” Ronaldo says of the Argentine. “But we are always busting our balls to see who is better.”

On speculation about the identity of his son’s mother, Ronaldo, who describes himself in the film as an “isolated person” with few friends in football, says: “I’ve never told anybody and I never will.”

Asked at the press conference why the film does not feature Irina Shayk, the Russian model who he split from last January, Ronaldo said it was because the filmmakers “didn’t see a strong part to put in the movie”.

He also refused to be drawn on the crisis surrounding suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who is pictured in the film during scenes shot at various Ballon d’Or galas.

“When Cristiano says something it’s a huge thing. I’m not going to be involved in these problems,” Ronaldo said. “What do you expect me to say?”

The film also reveals that a promise by former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson that Ronaldo would play in 50 per cent of the club’s games prompted him to move to Old Trafford in 2003.

Mendes says that Ferguson’s offer was key in encouraging the winger, then an 18-year-old rising star at Sporting Lisbon, to reject rival offers from clubs including Barcelona and Inter Milan.

Speaking on Monday, Ronaldo said: “When Sir Alex Ferguson says, ‘Cristiano, I want you to come to Manchester United, you’re going to play 50 per cent of the games,’ it made me feel comfortable and I said, ‘Wow.’

“Because 18 years old, to play 50 per cent of the games, for me it’s unbelievable. Jorge helped me to take that decision and of course the last word of Sir Alex Ferguson was the key to sign for Manchester United.”

A tuxedo-clad Ronaldo was greeted by hundreds of fans when he arrived with his mother and son for the film’s official premiere at a London cinema on Monday.

Ronaldo was reunited with Ferguson on the red carpet and hugged the Scot in a warm embrace.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, who both managed Ronaldo at Madrid, and former United teammates Gary Neville and Louis Saha were among a celebrity-packed audience.

Ronaldo was presented with an award for being the “most liked person on Facebook in the world”, while he also attempted to set a record for the most selfies taken in three minutes as he snapped photos with eager fans.

“I’m proud and excited to show off this movie,” Ronaldo said. “I did this for the fans, this film is for them.”

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