Ronaldo says row with Man Utd 'won't shake' Portugal team

Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the World Cup embroiled in a feud with his club Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the World Cup embroiled in a feud with his club Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Monday that his explosive row with Manchester United would not impact Portugal's chances at the World Cup as they prepare for their opening match in Qatar with Ghana.

Last week superstar Ronaldo lashed out at Premier League club United and the team's coach Erik ten Hag in a TV interview after being relegated to a peripheral role this season.

Ronaldo, who is set to start his fifth and likely final World Cup, was suspended for the Premier League club's 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month.

"I don't have to worry about what others think, I talk when I want to," he said. 

Ronaldo said frosty interaction with his team-mate for club and country Bruno Fernandes, along with images of him grabbing Manchester City's Joao Cancelo by the head, had been being overblown by the media.

"We were just playing around, I have a great relationship with him. I was asking him, because his plane was late, I asked him if he came by boat.

"The whole atmosphere is excellent, it's bulletproof and iron clad. The next player who comes here, you don't have to ask about that, don't talk about me, you don't have to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo... help them out, ask them about the World Cup."

After missing a friendly with a stomach bug last week, Ronaldo says he is in perfect shape to play.

- Messi debate -

The forward recently appeared in a Louis Vuitton advert alongside long-time rival, Argentina striker Lionel Messi, where the pair were pictured playing a game of chess.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi has won seven Ballon d'Or awards and many consider him to be the best player of all-time.

"Some people like me more, some people like me less, like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes. The World Cup will always be a showcase.

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