- Portugal were beaten by Denmark in their Nations League quarter-final first leg
- Ronaldo has been criticised by the press for his poor peformance in Copenhagen
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo has clapped back at reporters for asking ‘disrespectful’ questions ahead of Portugal’s crunch Nations League quarter-final second leg with Denmark.
Roberto Martinez’s side head into Sunday night’s crucial clash in Lisbon 1-0 down after a disappointing first leg in Copenhagen on Thursday.
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to give the Danes a slender lead in the tie with a lovely finish 12 minutes from time.
Ronaldo, who has scored 135 goals for his country, has come under some intense heat from the press for his performance in what was an abject display from Portugal.
The 40-year-old only managed 30 touches – the fewest of any outfield player – and didn’t manage a single shot on target during his 90 minutes on the pitch.
Prior to the second leg, Portuguese journalists critisised both Ronaldo and the team, while asking the Manchester United and Real Madrid star whether he is still capable of completing a full match at the international level.
Cristiano Ronaldo demanded a journalist to ‘look me in the eyes’ while asking questions
Rasmus Hojlund gave Denmark a narrow lead over Portugal in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to get a shot on target in Thursday’s loss and has been criticised
‘I feel like there’s a lot of negativity around the national team,’ responded Ronaldo. I’ve watched some of the press conferences over the last few days – I didn’t like what I saw, I don’t like it.
‘And honestly, some of the questions you’ve asked were just disrespectful. If you want answers from me, look me in the eyes when you ask.
‘There’s no point asking me something and then looking down at your computer. You’ll have time for that later. If necessary, I will say it ten times.’
Portugal have endured a tough year under Martinez after being knocked out of Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage.
Ronaldo did not manage a single goal at the tournament and questions have been asked over his position in the side ever since.
With an exit from the Nations League looming, scrutiny has only intensified on both the attacker and his boss Martinez, and Ronaldo has admitted that he and his team-mates are feeling the pressure.
‘The air is more tense,’ the Portugal captain added. ‘I won’t hide it. We are in a more tense moment because we need to win, but that’s the beauty of football. Tomorrow, I appeal to the fans to be with us.
‘To transmit their strength to us, because we are going to try to do our best. That is my hope, that tomorrow will be a beautiful day for everyone.’
‘There is no other option. Anyone who is proud to represent this symbol must have this ambition. I have lost games in 90 minutes, but I have never lost in the first half. Tomorrow is the second half.
Scrutiny on Ronaldo has increased since he failed to score a goal in Portugal’s poor Euro 2024 campaign
Manager Roberto Martinez is under pressure after a string of underwhelming performances
Ronaldo and Co will hope to turn things around in the second leg on Sunday night in Lisbon
‘There are games like that, there are bad days. I didn’t play at all, the team didn’t play at all, but it’s part of life. Tomorrow I want to leave the Alvalade Stadium with my head held high. If all the Portuguese people are on our side.’
It’s not the first time that Ronaldo has reacted angrily to journalists, eight years ago he vented his frustration in a lot more aggressive manner.
In the midst of Portugal’s triumphant Euro 2016 campaign, Ronaldo lost his cool while being scrutinised by a reporter and snatched the microphone before launching it into a lake.
While he only reacted through the medium of speech this time around, his frustration is clear.
