By Ayobami Okerinde
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo over his recent conduct with Portugal, saying the forward’s actions have made him more difficult to like and could overshadow his achievements in football.
Neville made the comments on The Overlap Daily while discussing Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the Portugal squad ahead of their clash with Denmark following a reported disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The former England international, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United for six years before the Portuguese forward left for Real Madrid in 2009, said he was disappointed by the player’s statement explaining his decision.
“I actually love him to bits. I can’t sit here and say I approve of that statement and think it was a good thing for him to do; it makes him more difficult to like. If you love him, it makes him more difficult to like; if you don’t like him, it makes you dislike him even more. In another year, when he’s retired, we will look back upon his greatness in football, and people won’t remember this ending,” Neville said.
Ronaldo had blamed Jesus for his decision to leave the national team camp, saying he felt let down after being left out of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway. He also accused the coach of breaking a promise.
The forward later apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese public for his abrupt departure, adding that he was prepared to accept any punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation. He also insisted that he was not retiring from international football.
Neville also revisited Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United, saying the forward did not show younger players the same patience and support he had received from senior teammates during his early years at the club.
“I find it difficult because I remember the 18-year-old kid who came to United, and for two or three years he was imperfect, to say the least. He was a young, erratic winger whom, to be fair, needed a lot of development, and I actually wondered if he would ever get to be top level at United, let alone what he’s done.
“His numbers are absolutely incredible, but the patience and the tolerance that was demonstrated to him by senior players when we were younger were incredible. The development from the coaches and belief from the manager – everything to try and make him a success. I don’t think that when he was at United the second time, he repaid the young… I don’t think he treated the young players like that, and I found that difficult.”
Neville also backed Jesus for standing firm in his dealings with Ronaldo, saying he was glad the coach had refused to give in to the forward’s demands. He added that he would have “lost his soul” had he acted otherwise.
Carragher slams Ferdinand over Ronaldo defence
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has also criticised former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand for defending Ronaldo amid the controversy, accusing him of embarrassing himself.
Carragher, also speaking on the podcast, said personal relationships with footballers should not prevent pundits from speaking honestly about their conduct.
“People think it’s good to be close to people in the game, but this is where it becomes a problem.
“People like Piers Morgan and Rio Ferdinand, who are big people in the media whether you like them or not, are embarrassing themselves with the nonsense that they’re coming out with because they know Ronaldo. You can know someone and try to look after them, but you cannot defend the indefensible.”
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