As the fall out from Cristiano Ronaldo’s bombshell interview about Manchester United continues, the list of pundits, analysts and former football people commenting on it grows.
Today it’s the turn of Antonio Cassano, who has surprisingly not jumped to Ronaldo’s defence but criticised the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo released his exclusive interview with Piers Morgan on Sunday, blasting the club, former managers and players in a series of controversial quotes.
The reaction has been exactly as he had hoped, putting the focus entirely on him ahead of the World Cup and driving a rift between himself and Manchester United that will surely lead to a parting of the ways in the January transfer window.
For the most part he has been criticised for his actions, with few understanding his decision to release the interview mere days before the start of the World Cup.
That’s created an unnecessary distraction for the Portugal squad, who are now dealing with the fallout and increased media attention because of Ronaldo’s presence.
One man who has been left unimpressed is Cassano, who has criticised the Manchester United forward and gone in hard on his personality in the process.
“Now I say that Ronaldo does not have the courage to admit that for three years he is no longer himself,” he told Bobo TV, relayed by Area Napoli.
“This year he had to go to Sporting Lisbon and then quit after the World Cup. He’s a problem for the coaches, he puts his teammates in trouble. He didn’t even call Benzema to congratulate him.
“He has a blindfold in front of his eyes and thinks he can play until he’s 50. Dear Ronaldo, I tell you one thing: finish big with the World Cup.
“He can’t keep throwing tantrums and he can’t think he can still play at a high level. He has such a disproportionate ego, but he is not like Messi who can also play sitting down.
“He can’t physically cope anymore. He is confirming that he always puts his selfishness first.”
