Cristiano Ronaldo Labelled 'Irritating' And A 'Prima Donna' For Comments
Ronaldo criticised his Manchester United teammates but one pundit thinks that the five time Ballon d'Or player should be looking inward.
Cristiano Ronaldo's recent comments about his Manchester United teammates earned him a lot of plaudits, however one pundit thinks the United star was just being 'irritating.'
Ronaldo recently opened up on his feelings towards the struggles at United, with the club currently striving to find any sort of form under Ralf Rangnick.
The five time Ballon d'Or winner said the team should settle for nothing less than a top three position, despite currently being 11 points behind Liverpool, who are in third.
The 36-year-old also seemed to criticise his teammates for not being able to take advice on board, saying, "If I give you advice, even if you are younger than me, but if that's not in your plan during your daily life then it will be difficult. You can speak all day with that person, but if it's not coming from inside of you then it is impossible.
"But the other people do not accept that if you criticise them - I don't say this generation of our players but in general, I have kids, I know."
Whilst many praised the all time top international goalscorer in men's football for his words, and brutally honest assessment, it hasn't gone down well in some quarters.
BBC pundit Garth Crooks wasn't impressed with the Portugal star's words, saying the forward should direct the words at himself and called him a 'prima donna.'
"Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick wants his players to hold each other to account after Cristiano Ronaldo questioned their mentality," Crooks said in his column.
"Ronaldo has expressed concern about the attitude of some his teammates and suggested it needs to be better for United to be successful this term.
"I couldn't agree more - and it should start with him. Ever since he returned to Old Trafford the Portuguese international has behaved like a prima donna.
"He may be the star of the show but the constant waving of his hands in the air when events don't go his way - a sign that the crowd's moans and groans regarding United's failures are all down to his team-mates and nothing to do with him - is irritating."
The former Juventus forward might have scored 14 goals for United in all competitions so far this campaign, and provided three assists, but even that isn't enough to impress Crooks.
The pundit, who has become famous for his crazy team of the week selections, said he expects to see more from Real Madrid's all time top scorer.
"I expect better from a player of his calibre. Scoring goals and looking good isn't what the game is all about," the ex Tottenham player added.
"The game is nothing if it's not about the team. Ronaldo always looks immaculate on the pitch but sometimes, especially when things are going badly, he has to get among the muck and nettles in order to pull his team through difficult periods.
"...If the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wants to finish his career on a high at Old Trafford then he must heed the words of Rangnick and initiate a brutal, but sincere heart-to-heart with his teammates and galvanise a spirit within the team.
"But before he does, he should start with himself first."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Premier League, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo
Ryan Sidle