THE CELEBRITY WORLD is full of unexpected friendships – but perhaps none more so than Cristiano Ronaldo's bromance with Piers Morgan.
The returning Manchester United icon and Arsenal supporter became buddies a few years ago after a surprise message on Instagram.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Morgan revealed how he became friends with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
He wrote: "Our relationship began in the most random of ways when he sent me a direct message via Instagram three years ago, saying: 'Hello sir, how are you? I saw your murder documentary on Netflix. I find it fascinating to see you interview these murderers.'
"Once I'd got over the shock of one of my all-time sporting heroes contacting me out of the blue, I rapidly pulled myself together and put on my professional game-face.
"'I'd find it fascinating to interview YOU one day…' I suggested, putting out my fishing rod. 'I haven't killed anyone!' he replied."
Morgan later interviewed Ronaldo in 2019 and the two have since become close friends, with the latter telling the former he has 'good abdominals'.
The broadcaster has a video clip of Ronaldo's compliment as his pinned tweet and it's been viewed more than 32MILLION times.
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And Morgan is just one of 57 accounts Ronaldo follows on Twitter, with the former Real Madrid ace boasting 94.1MILLION followers in return.
Morgan added: "The real Ronaldo is warm, self-deprecating, generous, grounded and hugely liked by almost everyone who's ever worked with him or met him.
"Since meeting Ronaldo in late 2019, we've become unlikely mates. We speak on the phone from time to time and chat frequently on WhatsApp about everything from football and fast cars to yachts, coronavirus and fatherhood.
"I've met and interviewed a lot of sporting legends in my 30 years as a journalist and broadcaster. None has impressed me as much as Ronaldo, on and off the pitch."
Although the two are close friends, Morgan failed to persuade Ronaldo to turn his back on the Champions League and join struggling Arsenal.
He can be hilariously funny and candid – some of his lengthy voice messages when he's fired up about something would make football writers' eyes pop out.
The ex-Juve star re-joined Man Utd on transfer deadline day, 12 years after leaving Old Trafford for the Spanish capital in a world-record deal.
The Gunners' next game against the Red Devils and Ronaldo is at Old Trafford on November 30, subject to TV amendments.
The journalist wrote: "'Great to have you back in the Premier League,' I messaged him when the news broke. 'Just please don't score against Arsenal.'
"'Thanks, my friend,' he replied, seconds later.
"We both know he will score against Arsenal, the club he told me he very nearly joined before first signing for United. Friend or no friend, this one-man goal machine just can't stop himself."
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