Interview MARCA catches up with the superstar at the end of a big week

A player from another era

The perfect footballer: A mix of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

It's been a frenetic few days for Cristiano Ronaldo. Following the collection of MARCA's Alfredo di Stefano award for his work in 2015/16, Real Madrid awarded the winger a contract until 2021 while Nike, not wanting to be left out, signed off a new deal off their own.

Rumoured to be a lifetime billion-dollar contract, the future was the logical place to begin when MARCA sat down with Ronaldo as he unveiled his latest line of boots.

With all these accolades coming your way for your playing abilities, do you now start to consider staying in football as an option for your long-term future?

"There is still a long way to go and I don't want to think about the future. I like to live in the present, which is very good. I've had a spectacular week with the renewal at Real madrid and now with Nike. I only have reason to smile, to be happy for what's happening to me."

But it's inevitable that the fans think about it, don't you think?

"I've said before that I think Ill always be linked to Real, as a player and also when I finish my career. We'll see what happens, if I'll be a coach or something else. I can't think of that right now, but we'll see."

Do you think you would be a good coach?

"I don't know, we'll see. There are people who seem like they will be very good as a coach and then they are not, and the other way around - nobody trusts them then they become great tacticians. I don't worry too much about this, I want to enjoy the present."

How do you get along with Zidane?

"We have a fantastic relationship. We won the Champions League last season and I was a fan of his when he was a player and more so as a coach. He's such a good person and such a good coach!"

"He continues to learn and I am delighted to be with him, because he is an extraordinary person."

It was hard to imagine a 2016 like this, right?

"I have no doubt that it is the most important year of my career. Winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and the European Championship with Portugal for the first time in history. Individually it's also been spectacular, the best of my life no doubt. Renewing with Real, renewing with Nike, I am 100 percent sure it's the most important of my career. The best ever. I couldn't be happier."

Do you already see yourself winning the Ballon d'Or?

"I did everything last season; the Champions League, Euro 2016. The votes don't depend on me so I cannot be obsessed about whether I'm going to win or whether I deserve to win. If you ask me if I want to win, of course I do. I will not lie, but it's not up to me."

"I don't obsess over it. Things come naturally, the captains and coaches vote and we'll see what happens, but I'm calm because what I did last season was incredible and I'm very comfortable with my performances. It was my best year, so I'm happy."

Looking at the next generation, is there a young player who can become the new Cristiano Ronaldo?

"No one can be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, there are no doubles. The next will be what he has to be, but never the same. That doesn't happen."

"I see in Europe many young talents, I can mention several: Renato Sanches, Andres Gomes, or Joao Mario. There are many to choose from and I've only mentioned the Portuguese, but there are many in Europe who have the capacity to go far. I am very happy because these great talents assure that football will always be strong."

Today you've unveiled some new boots, and you recalled the spells with Manchester United and Sporting CP, which meant Sir Alex Ferguson and how he fell in love with you in less than a week in England.

"Yes, it was not planned that United would be my team. Other clubs like Arsenal, Valencia, and Inter had enquired about me but we played against United and the rest is history."

How did it feel when a giant like Nike made the massive bet that they've put on you?

"It's a great dream, it was a dream when I arrived in Manchester and Madrid. I am blessed to sign this huge contract with the brand that's best for me. Working with them is spectacular, it makes me very happy that we will work together for another 20 years."

What is your best Clasico memory?

"Clasicos and derbies are always special games. I have good and bad memories, but I can say that I love playing in them, they are what everyone wants to see. I've had the opportunity to play many and the last I remember is the derby when we won the Champions League, a good memory."

What's your opinion of Alvaro Morata? Do you think that the work he's done at Juventus has served him to become the footballer he is now?

"Morata had a fantastic season, learned a lot in Italy, and improved as a footballer. He grew up as a player in a very tough competition."

Do you see Juventus as a candidate for the Champions League?

"Of course. They have a fantastic team, just like their coach and stadium. Why not?"

In just under two weeks you go back to your old club, Sporting CP, will it be difficult?

"No, it will be nice but I want to score there. I always want to score, but we drew the other day [against Legia Warsaw] and nothing is decided yet. We have to get a result at Sporting."

"At Manchester United I played against them, I also wanted to win then and I scored."

You're signed up with Madrid until you're 36 years old, but Lisbon would still like you back there one day.

"The future is unknown. Something can always happens and I'll always be able to have a link with Sporting."