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Cristiano Ronaldo has plenty to say to those who criticised him for failing to score for Portugal at the European Championship.
Ronaldo discussed his critics at several points in a sit-down conversation with former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand. The Portugal star has faced detractors throughout his career, but the scrutiny reached another level in the summer when Ronaldo failed to score a single goal for Portugal in their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
Speaking to Ferdinand for a video on his record-breaking YouTube channel, Ronaldo admitted that the criticism is normal because he’s the “most followed guy in the world”. He also defended his performances in Germany by reminding people that he stepped up to take Portugal’s first penalties in their shootouts against Slovenia and France, scoring both times.
WHAT RONALDO SAID
“It’s much easier to criticise than appreciate what you really have,” Ronaldo said. “We know how the press works. If you speak good, it doesn’t sell. You have to speak bad. And if you speak about Cristiano, you’re coming on the first page. It’s normal because I’m the most followed guy in the world. The criticism is always going to exist and it’s part of the business. For me it’s not a problem.
“The critics are always going to exist. But people forget one thing. They say ‘Cristiano doesn’t score goals’ [at the Euros] – I scored two goals. I was the first one to show that I missed, but I’m not going to shy away. I’m going to be here. Even if I miss, I’m going to be here. Even if I miss, I will shoot. And I scored two goals.”
The Al-Nassr star continued by bringing up his goal-scoring record for Portugal and his status as the player with the most international goals in history.
“I scored 60 goals last season,” Ronaldo added. “Now you’re going to speak about, ‘you don’t score at the Euros, what’s going on? What’s the problem?’ I scored 130 goals [for Portugal]. I’m the highest goal-scorer in the history of international football.”
WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
Ronaldo, who scored his 899th career goal in Al-Nassr’s 4-1 win against Al-Fayha on Tuesday, also revealed his next ambition to Ferdinand, admitting it’s “the best mark” that he can leave in football.
Speaking to Ferdinand for a video on his record-breaking YouTube channel, Ronaldo admitted that the criticism is normal because he's the "most followed guy in the world". He also defended his performances in Germany by reminding people that he stepped up to take Portugal's first penalties in their shootouts against Slovenia and France, scoring both times.
