One of the worlds greatest footballers, Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo has been loathed to give a glimpse into his personal life but for the first time the star has spoken out about his remarkable story in Hello magazine.
Cristiano left his island home of Madeira at the age of 12 to follow his dream as a professional footballer. Last year he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year and hes now a global star said to be worth £40 million.
With the fame, of course, comes speculation about his private life, and speaking exclusively to Hello! Magazine he said: "Many people have images of footballers as people who like to go out all the time, spend their money lavishly and to date many women. Its hard to escape this idea but dealing with the pressures of being a famous footballer and the publicity it attracts can be very difficult.'
He added: "Footballers lifestyles are always under scrutiny but the image and publicity about wealth, glitz and good times often fail to tell the true story! Sometimes it is a very lonely world and we dont feel safe in any place. Yet our status, our salaries mean we rarely win the publics sympathy. But I do believe I am a good role model."
The 22-year old, who recently split from former Hollyoaks actress and model Gemma Atkinson and has been linked to Bollywood star Bipasha Basu, is fiercely private about his personal life. He explained: "I come under intense media scrutiny so I am very private about the girls I date. I am a gentleman, and I do not want them to experience the media pressure, which I have learned to ignore. For me, a girl does not need to be famous for me to like her. I do have my romantic moments but I am sensible. It is company that is important for me.
"I would like to marry, maybe in my thirties, but I have not met the right girl yet. For me, it is what is inside a beautiful woman that is important, although she must also be beautiful, like Angelina Jolie. I appreciate funny, kind, friendly women with good conversation and laughing is one of my favourite pastimes, although the time is not right for me to have a relationship. Football is my life. That is my focus."
Despite quickly establishing himself as Uniteds star player, Cristano came up against some negative publicity during the 2006 World Cup. Referring to the famous match in which he had a hand in having his Manchester United team mate Wayne Rooney sent off, Ronaldo said: "After the match, I was criticised and whistled at. It was not very pleasant but it did me some good.
"With this I grew wiser and it helped me to mature. I insist that Rooney is a good friend by whose side it is a pleasure and a honour to play, and he and I exchanged text messages just after that game with England, as well as the next day.'
He added: "I feel privileged the British people have taken me to their hearts. The best thing about Britain is the people – they are fair. When you do well, they say so. When not so well, they say so.'
Ronaldo is quick to point out that he much prefers staying in with his best friend and housemate Jose to living the glamorous Premiership footballers lifestyle portrayed in the press. He insists: "Im a quiet person. I rarely go out. dont drink alcohol; Im not a big spender. I have one car, a Bentley GT convertible, and I like designer clothes, but I do not have wardrobes-full. I have a good watch, a diamond bracelet and some rings but a lot of my money is invested for the future, in property.'
Some of Cristianos reported £135,000 a week earnings have been invested in a house hes currently having built in Lisbon. He has had a hand in the design and made sure the number seven plays a prominent role. "There will be seven bedrooms and a seven-shaped pool," he revealed. His long term ambition is to build a hotel and resort in Madeira 'where people could spend beautiful, pleasant and peaceful moments, the kind I enjoy. It would be called CR7, after all, this is the number of my life'.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CRISTIANO RONALDO IN HELLO! ON SALE NOWMoments by Cristiano Ronaldo is published by Macmillan on 5 October, priced £18.99
