I don’t need to be friends with Real Madrid players – Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he does not need to get on well with his Real Madrid team-mates, so far they are performing together on the pitch.

The Portugal captain was reacting to the friendship between Barcelona forwards, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar, especially after the penalty combination last weekend.

It has however been claimed that Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale don’t share similar camaraderie and Ronaldo says it is unimportant.

“When I was at Manchester United, we won the Champions League and there were some players I would only say ‘hi’ to, like [Ryan] Giggs, [Paul] Scholes or [Rio] Ferdinand,” Ronaldo told a press
conference, ahead of their Champions League tie against Roma.

“But the harmony on the pitch was great.

“It’s not necessary to go out eating with Bale, what matters is when you are on the field. What happens off it doesn’t count, it matters that we are a team on it.”

The 31-year-old is however confident his side can defeat Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night.

“I’m feeling good and the team are good,” he added.

“We’re working well, playing well and scoring lots of goals. Of course this is not the Primera Division, it’s the Champions League, but we’ve got a great desire to win. These are the most difficult games on paper, but we’re looking to win it.

“Whether it’s Champions League, domestic league or cup, it’s the same for me – I always want to win. Tomorrow will be a great game against a great side, who are playing at home in front of their own fans, but we’ll be looking to win.”