December 12, 2022, 7:25 PM
December 12, 2022, 7:25 PM
Former Portuguese international Nuno Gomes asked this Monday that Cristiano Ronaldo be left alone, after the various controversies in which he was involved during Portugal’s participation in the World Cup in Qatar.
“I can say about Cristiano that he is one of the best in the world in the last fifteen years, he has nothing to prove”, said the former striker after a match in Doha between FIFA legends and workers based in Qatar.
“The Portuguese have to be grateful to Cristiano and leave him alone, it’s the best”he added.
A World Cup player in 2002 and 2006, Gomes, 46, also asked that striker Joao Félix be given a break, that he would be close to leaving Atlético de Madrid (ESP), according to the Spanish press.
“I’ve known him for many years, I know the quality he has, the talent he has. He likes to have fun playing football, let him play football and so we will all have fun,” he said.
Portugal was eliminated by Morocco (1-0) on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, was a substitute again for the youthful Gonçalo Ramos, although he entered in the second half.
The days before the game were marked by controversy, especially when he did not start in the round of 16 against Switzerland (6-1).
The Portuguese press then reported that the player, who is without a club after his abrupt departure from Manchester United (ENG) prior to Portugal’s Cup debut, he had threatened to leave the group for this reason.
The Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, He wanted to head off the controversy by alleging that the star never said he wanted to leave the national team.
“Let’s hope that time is a good advisor and allows everyone to draw their conclusions”wrote CR7 on his Instagram account on Sunday, a day after the elimination.
The former attacker from Benfica (POR) and Fiorentina (ITA), on the other hand, had praiseworthy words about Ramos, 21 years old and author of a “hat-trick” against the Swiss.
“It’s very good,” he said. “He is one who can spend many years in the national team.”