Cristiano Ronaldo compares himself to God and claims his arrogance made him the best

'I am made to be the best'

Ronaldo has been strongly linked with a move after enduring an unusually goal-shy run (Getty Images)

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says he was "made to be the best" and even compared himself to God.

The Portuguese, current holder of the Ballon d'Or, has been a divisive figure during his brilliant career because of his arrogance, vanity and preening.

Although he was loved by Manchester United supporters, fans in Madrid have not been so kind, with boos and jeers a feature of his time at the Bernabeu - he was booed in the 3-1 win over Real Sociedad despite scoring twice.

The 30-year-old claims that those same characteristics that make split opinion have made him the player he is today.

"There are people out there who hate me and who say I'm arrogant, vain and whatever. That's all part of my success. I am made to be the best," Ronaldo told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

"We cannot live being obsessed with what other people think about us. It's impossible to live like that. Not even God managed to please the entire world.

"I have a clear conscience. I sleep well. I feel good helping others, regardless of whether that's with big things or small things. I look at life differently ever since I became a father.

"I can deal with the pressure because of the difficult life I have had. The person I am now is the result of the time I spent without my family and because of the difficult times I went through.

"I was ironing my own clothes when I was 11-years-old. My mental strength goes back to those days.

"If this is what I am, if everything I've achieved in football has been for this, I couldn't possibly ask for anything else. If you offer me an improvement, I'd accept it, but change is very complicated."