Cristiano Ronaldo criticised for taking photo with 'friend' Jordan Peterson

Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised for taking a picture with Jordan Peterson, a right-wing psychologist.

Peterson has developed a large following online for his divisive social views.

He's appeared on UFC commentator Joe Rogan's podcast previously and made controversial comments on race as well as climate change.

Despite that, Manchester United forward Ronaldo met up with Peterson and shared an image of the duo on Instagram.

The five-time Ballon D'or winner captioned his post: "Nice to see you my friend! #seeyousoon."

Peterson left a comment of: "I’ve rarely met anyone who more clearly deserved what they earned. Good to meet you."

The post has over five million likes, but fans have slammed the 37-year-old on social media.

One person said: "The very concept of a conversation between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jordan Peterson is staggering."

A second put: "Cristiano Ronaldo with Jordan Peterson, the guy who said feminists have 'an unconscious wish for brutal male domination'."

Someone tweeted: "Cristiano Ronaldo posting with Jordan f**king Peterson I didn’t think I could hate the guy anymore."

While another added: "Nah real talk why was Ronaldo meeting with Jordan Peterson lmfao."

Ronaldo attempted to leave United over the summer in search of Champions League football.

The 37-year-old is keen to keep his record as the competition's record goalscorer. He currently sits on 140 goals, while longtime rival Lionel Messi has 125 goals.

No concrete offer arrived however and Ronaldo played his first Europa League game in 20 years on Thursday, as United slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but he was correctly ruled offside.

He had a poor game on the whole and Liverpool legend Steve Nicol heavily criticised the Portugal international over the weekend.

"I'll be honest, when you mention the game, the only thing I have in my head is Ronaldo clean through [on goal] and getting caught by two players," Nicol told ESPN.

"That's kind of what springs to my mind. And he did have another look. He had a couple of other chances, not as good as that one, but there was just something missing.

"That's what I think about when I think of this game. There wasn't much in it between the two sides, not that many chances in the game.

"But that's the only thing I can think of. The fact that Ronaldo was clean through and looked every one of those 36, 37 years."