Related News
Ronaldo backtracks after rant
Print Edition
THREE-TIME World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has backtracked on critical comments of his Real Madrid teammates following their 0-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The derby defeat on Saturday realistically ended Real’s title challenge as it now trails leader Barcelona by nine points having also played a game more.
Ronaldo lambasted his teammates by suggesting Real would be top if everyone was as good as him.
“If everyone was at my level, we would be top,” he said.
However, Ronaldo issued a subsequent statement to Madrid sports daily Marca claiming he was referring to his fitness levels having not missed a minute of La Liga action this season.
“When I said this I was referring to my level of fitness, not play. I am not better than any of my teammates.”
Ronaldo had in particular questioned the role of Real’s squad players in the absence of the injured Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Pepe. “I don’t want to undervalue any of my teammates, but when the best aren’t there it is difficult to win.
“I like to play with Pepe, Karim (Benzema), Bale, Marcelo. I don’t want to say that Jese (Rodriguez), Lucas (Vazquez), (Mateo) Kovavic are not good players, they are very good, but to win a competition you need the best,” he added.
However, Real captain Sergio Ramos launched a staunch defense of the rest of the squad, pressuring Ronaldo into a climbdown.
“We are proud of everyone that is part of the squad and the work of all the players that get fewer minutes (on the field),” said the Spanish international. “Players like Vazquez, Jese or Borja (Mayoral) are giving everything because they know how hard it is to get their chance here, but Cristiano is free to offer his opinion.”
After 26 rounds, Real is also four points behind Atletico while Barcelona, which was hosting Sevilla yesterday has a chance to tie Real’s record of 34 unbeaten games in all competitions set in 1988-89.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
