Audio By Carbonatix
Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels like a "broken man" following Portugal's World Cup exit and has denied attributing the blame for the country's failure to coach Carlos Queiroz.
Portugal were eliminated in the second round by Spain on Tuesday night as a David Villa goal secured a 1-0 victory for their Iberian neighbours. It meant Portugal departed the competition having failed to score in three of their four games in South Africa.
Former FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo was a marginal figure for much of the match and his conduct was also brought in question following the final whistle as he appeared to spit in the direction of a TV cameraman on the pitch.
The national team captain then told reporters to "talk to Carlos Queiroz" when asked to explain Portugal's defeat to Spain, but has since issued a statement through his agent to establish he was not seeking to apportion blame to the coach.
"I feel a broken man, completely disconsolate, frustrated and an unimaginable sadness," Ronaldo said. "When I said 'put the question to the coach', it is just because Carlos Queiroz was holding a press conference.
"I was not in a position to explain what was what. I am a human being, and like any human being I suffer and I have the right to suffer alone. I know that I am the captain, and I have always assumed and will assume my responsibilities."
In response to Ronaldo's remarks, Queiroz hinted he expected better performances from the country's captain who scored only one goal in South Africa.
"We are not unaware of those remarks, but we are not here to be friends with the players," Queiroz said. "One must never allow anyone placing himself above the best interests of the national side.
"Portugal needs Ronaldo, and Ronaldo needs the national side. But if this shirt unnerves some players, they have no grounds to be there."
Jose Mourinho will manage Ronaldo at Real Madrid next season and says he will not seek to place too much pressure on his countryman following his World Cup ordeal.
"I will not allow all the responsibilities of the team to fall on Ronaldo," Mourinho told Marca. "In my teams, when we win, we all win, and when we lose, I lose - so Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holidays."
Source: ESPN
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Synthetic drugs pose growing challenge to Ghana’s anti-drug fight – Muntaka
7 minutes -
A tribute to Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo
7 minutes -
Ghana removed 2,281 migrant beggars, 774 illegal immigrants in 2025 – Interior Minister
9 minutes -
Gov’t traces 73 assets linked to suspected drug trafficking networks – Muntaka
9 minutes -
Over 8,500kg of narcotics seized in 20 months – Muntaka
12 minutes -
Asantehene to tee off Millennium Excellence Week in Washington DC
13 minutes -
June 29 floods killed 39, affected nearly 92,000 people – Muntaka
15 minutes -
Barosky stranded on Manchester streets, appeals for help to return to GhanaÂ
17 minutes -
UAE bought $1m worth of flood relief items locally for June 29 victims – Muntaka
17 minutes -
2026 LCB Corporate Games underway with 16 port and logistics firms
21 minutes -
Government freezes GH¢6.9m and $440,000 linked to suspected drug trafficking
22 minutes -
217 arrested, 165 prosecutions initiated in drug crackdown – Interior Minister
24 minutes -
CDD-Ghana calls for new law to regulate political party financing, campaign spending
28 minutes -
NPP supporters throng party headquarters as Justin Kodua and others file nominations
29 minutes -
GoldBod gains: This is not what Ghanaians voted for, deal with galamsey – Prof. Bokpin
31 minutes