Responding to questions around criticism of his recent comments, the defiant Portugal captain told a news conference: “I am bullet-proof, I wear an iron suit.
“In my life, the best timing is always my timing. I don’t have to think about what other people think. I speak when I want,” he said.
“The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am. It’s an ambitious group that is hungry and focused. So I’m sure it (the interview) won’t shake the changing room’s concentration and focus.”
Referring to himself in the third person, the Manchester United superstar that “everything related to him will always spark criticism and controversy.”
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He also insisted that the awkward handshake between him and attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes that was caught on camera and went viral was the result of a joke between the Portugal and United teammates.
“My relationship with him (Fernandes) is excellent,” he claimed. “I was joking with him. His plane arrived late and I asked if he had come by boat. That’s it.
“The environment in the changing room is excellent. No problems. The group is shielded. And I take this opportunity to say: stop asking about me.”
Portugal began their World Cup campaign against Ghana on Thursday before facing Uruguay and South Korea.