Cristiano Ronaldo: “I went off as a precaution. It's nothing special”

“I got kicked in the first half and the muscle felt a bit sore”, said the Portuguese, who had to be substituted in the 53rd minute

Cristiano Ronaldo scored first against Almería but then had to leave the pitch and was substituted by Jesé. The Portuguese forward explained why he was substituted at the end of the game: "It was just a precaution, It's nothing special. I got kicked in the first half and the muscle felt a bit sore".

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Almería - Liga BBVA - 23/11/2013

Cristiano Ronaldo Training Session - 22/11/2013

Cristiano Ronaldo: “For me, you are the heroes”

The Madrid player is a bone marrow donor and supporter of children with leukaemia

Cristiano Ronaldo had some very special moments during his time with Miguel, Guillermo, Jorge and Víctor, four children who have leukaemia and whose footballing and personal idol is the Madrid forward and bone marrow donor. “For me, you are the heroes. To fight like you do against this serious illness you have to have lots of will-power and psychological strength”.

Cristiano Ronaldo encouraged everyone to become bone marrow donors, a decision which could save thousands of lives: “It is something that does not cost anything; it is a very simple procedure and the person who does it gets to feel very happy because you know you are going to help another person”.

Throughout the meeting, the children spoke to their idol and asked him about sport and his life. Cristiano revealed that many of his Real Madrid teammates are also bone marrow donors because, like him, they are very concerned about this illness and they know that it is a simple process to be able to help people who need it. Naturally, the boys could not help asking Cristiano Ronaldo about purely footballing matters and about Real Madrid, the team they all support.

The children were very excited about being so close to the star, who said: “There is no other club like Real Madrid; it is the biggest in the world”. He added: “I love Madrid, the people from Madrid and the Madrid fans. Every time I go onto the pitch in the Bernabéu it is a dream come true for me. I like the support in the Bernabéu and also in the street. They all show affection for me and I feel very happy here. I hope I can finish my career at Real Madrid”, the Portuguese player said.

The children were very interested to learn about their hero’s everyday life and the physical training he does to be in such good shape at all times: “I always try to be a professional. There are times when I cannot be at my very best, but I always train the same way. I think about football one hundred per cent. I want people to see me just as a professional, as a player who gives everything for his team”.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Save the children 21/11/2013

Cristiano Ronaldo: "I'm not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or"

"Every year I've shown what I'm about. I've scored 40 or 50 goals a season and not everyone is capable of that. I'm not obsessed with it [the Ballon d'Or]"

Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh off booking Portugal's place at the 2014 World Cup with a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Sweden, insisted that he is not "obsessed" with the Ballon d'Or and he has proven his worth year upon year.

"Every year I've shown what I'm about. I've scored 40 or 50 goals a season and not everyone is capable of that. I'm not obsessed with it [the Ballon d'Or]", Ronaldo told TV channel 'RTP'. The Real Madrid star, who took home the match ball as a memento, stressed that he doesn't "have to answer to anyone", in reference to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, adding that he does his "talking on the pitch".

After moving level with Pedro Pauleta as Portugal's all-time top goalscorer with 47 goals, Ronaldo stated that "records are there to be broken" and claimed he wasn't desperate to achieve the feat, but wanted it to come "naturally". The Portugal captain believes his country deserved to qualify for the World Cup, despite having got a bit complacent during the second half. "That's how big teams win things (...) We were better and we played better", he concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Sweden - World Cup Qualifiers - 20/11/2013