Rio Ferdinand has slammed critics of Portugal legend, Cristiano Ronaldo.
There have been calls for the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star to leave the national team, following a very poor performance at the European championships.
Ferdinand wonders why Ronaldo’s critics do not attack Lionel Messi, who is not also having the best of times at Copa America.
He said that though the Portugal captain did not do well in Germany, but it has been the same for the Argentine at Copa America.
Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five that the critics have been disrespectful of Ronaldo.
“He [Ronaldo] didn’t have a good tournament. He didn’t play well to the levels that he played [before]. You are [being disrespectful when you say he must leave the national team].
“For what he’s done, you can’t be saying that, I don’t care. They [should] just let him go out, when he wants to go out.
“What was Portugal doing before Cristiano Ronaldo? Messi hasn’t scored in the Copa America and I haven’t heard a sniff.”
