Manchester United legend Gary Neville has again criticized Cristiano Ronaldo for his ‘stinging’ behavior after being dropped for Portugal World Cup round of 16 clash on tuesday.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and all-time top goalscorer, was named on the bench for the game against Switzerland, the first time since Euro 2008 that the striker has not started in a major international tournament.
This comes after a row with manager Fernando Santos, who was unimpressed with his skipper’s reaction when he was knocked out in their final group stage match against South Korea.
The incident echoes Ronaldo’s spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag earlier this season after he left Old Trafford before going full-time in United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Neville was heavily critical of his former teammate after this, but Ronaldo hit back in his explosive interview with Piers Morganwhich ultimately led to the 37-year-old having his contract terminated by the Red Devils.
While many want the interview and all the trouble it caused to be water under the bridge, Ronaldo’s latest antics have raised the issue again and Neville gave an unforgiving assessment of the attacker on ITV.
Well, what happened at United, the suggestion was that it was because Ten Hag tried to launch an attack on him. [Ronaldo]trying to establish his authority,” said the former United skipper.
‘This is an administrator [Santos] who has been in an incredible relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for eight years.
And there are many Cristiano Ronaldo fans who don’t want to tell him the truth. I think he should listen to the truth, that it’s getting to be a bit of a nasty ending.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes on tonight and scores the winner, but the irritability, the stomping, the sulking has got to stop, because it doesn’t look good on him at all.
“His long-term legacy is established, he is protected. He is one of the best players of all time.
But in the short term he has to do much better, because is the Juventus manager wrong? Is the Manchester United manager wrong? And now the Portuguese manager is wrong?
“There are three who have done the same to him now.”
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