Ronaldo: Rooney can be world beater

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't regret anything about the moment he winked at Wayne Rooney in the World Cup, but believes that his fiery English (soon to be former) strike-partner has what it takes to shoot England to World Cup glory.

Speaking at length in the News of the World, Ronaldo was kind about Fergie and Rooney, and the rest of his United team-mates.

On Wayne and the World Cup:
"Sometimes you do things because emotions are running high but Wayne is my good friend. I can't regret it because I think the whole experience made me stronger. But looking back it was not the right thing to do and not something I would do any more. I have done a lot of growing up since then. And when I came back from the World Cup I made the journey from a boy to a man. Coming back from the World Cup in 2006 was very hard but ultimately it was a good thing.

"Without a doubt, he can become the best player in the world. There are lots of players who are a delight to watch but how many make it look as easy as him? We had a great relationship and that is the sort of quality of player you want to be playing with. In training, he can volley a ball from 30 yards away and miss your head by one inch every time. It might not sound a big thing but that is how accurate he is all the time. He will be one of the world's best for many years. The natural talent is there but he cares as well and will never give up."

"So much of England's success is down to Wayne Rooney though. He is your special player and if he shines in South Africa then you have every chance."

On Giggs and Scholes:
"You play with guys like Ryan Giggs and it is such an inspiration. He has all those medals and he has won everything but - let me promise you - nobody hates to lose more than Ryan. After 11 Premiership titles, the desire to win and the pain when you lose is still there and that is something I want.

"I want to never think I have ever achieved enough and seeing guys like Ryan and Paul Scholes has made me learn that it is possible to have that mindset."

On Sir Alex:
"I have said many times that it is the relationship a son has with a father. He respects me and I respect him and when one of us is talking, the other ones listens. It is not a one-sided relationship. We both hear each other out and that is why we have got on so well.

"He taught me everything about football and I have never met a man who is so passionate about the game after so many years. He instilled that passion into me and he made me a winner. The most important thing he taught me is that second place is not an option.

"He also taught me lots of things in order to make me a better person and people might not understand how much time he invest in players off the pitch. But he really does and he cares about each and everyone of us.

"In an ideal world. I would like him to be my life coach and for me to never leave him but that is not possible and I just have to continue my journey and hold on to what he has taught me."