Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he 'needs his haters' because he would not have enjoyed such a glittering career without those criticising his performances.

The Portugal captain has only scored two goals in six La Liga appearances for Real Madrid this season and was booed by sections of the Bernabeu during last weekend's league match with Athletic Bilbao.

The 31-year-old has shrugged off the negative energy, however, and insisted that he has always needed criticism from the outside to perform at the top of his game.

"You have to use negative people and experiences to motivate you," Ronaldo told Coach Magazine. "I actually need my haters, they have helped me achieve all I have achieved."

Ronaldo, who is believed to be close to signing a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu, is Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer on 368 goals.

Written by
Matt Law