Cristiano Ronaldo says hate from opposition fans fuels him to perform better

Ronaldo admits he is not one of the most humble footballers around

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says he performs better as a player when he receives hate from the opposition fans, according to the Telegraph. Ronaldo has been the most influential player for Los Blancos since he joined them in 2009 and has gone on to become the club’s record top scorer.

While he has set a lot of goalscoring records, the Portuguese has been criticized for his self-centered attitude on and off the pitch. Recently in an interview with The Times, the player admitted that he could be arrogant at times but felt he required the banter from the opposition to improve his game.

He said: "I am not the humblest person in the world, I admit that. I am not fake. But I like to learn. I don't mind people hating me because it pushes me. When I go to play away they are always against me, but it's good.

"You have to see the good things from the haters. I need the enemy. It is part of the business. They start screaming when I touch the ball. It had started already when I was 18 or 19. It is not a problem for me. It is a motivation."

Ronaldo praises Sir Alex Ferguson

Ronaldo also spoke about the immense respect he has for former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for urging him to meet his dying father in a London hospital.

Back in 2005, Ronaldo’s father Jose Dinis Aveiro had succumbed to a life-threatening liver disease at the early age of 52.

Ronaldo said: "When my daddy was dying, he was in a hospital in London, and it was not good. I said to (Sir Alex) Ferguson, 'Coach, I want to go. It was a crucial moment of the season.

“But Ferguson said: 'Football doesn't mean anything compared to your dad. If you want to go, go. I will always appreciate that."

Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United could acquire Ronaldo this summer

The 30-year old’s future at Real Madrid has been brought back into question, after a flurry of rumours linked the forward with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague, who has been following Ronaldo’s transfer saga for quite a while, said the following in an interview with talkSPORT.

“Next he’s leaving Real Madrid, the strategy is in place from his people to leave this summer if the money is there and Paris Saint-Germain are willing to pay it and Real Madrid feel it is the right time to let him go.

“He idolises Manchester United. The fans, the atmosphere and the club, but the club is in a different place now. But why would they spend €125million, plus playing him 20-odd million per year, why would they do that at this stage."