Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed for breaking the Juventus quarantine and heading home to 'take pictures in the pool' during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Juve star retreated to his native homeland Madeira towards the start of the month after his mother suffered a stroke and he has decided to stay there as Covid-19 spread across the world.
While the Serie A season has been suspended, Ronaldo has been staying at a luxury villa that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has been sharing his experiences regularly on social media.
This week he posed topless in the gym with family members, while his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez has also been posting updates from the villa, which boasts a rooftop swimming pool and its own football pitch.
Former Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, though, is far from happy with his club's star man and the pictures he has been posting during the global crisis.
'The thing at Juventus got complicated when Cristiano Ronaldo left. Ronaldo said he went to Portugal because of his mother, but now he only appears to take pictures in the pool', he told Radio Punto Nuovo.
'When this exception was made, the situation fell apart and others wanted to go. It shouldn't have been like that. They should all have been quarantined.
He fears that many Juve players will have difficulty returning to Italy when the situation calms down.
Last week Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Douglas Costa and Rodrigo Bentancur joined Ronaldo in fleeing Italy to return home.
'Criticizing now is easy, but, seen from the outside, I don't understand why some players wanted to leave Italy', he continued.
'When they return it will be more difficult to get back into shape, because they will have to be quarantined for 14 days.'
The 35-year-old has kept up his famously stringent workout regime during lockdown, posing in a photo that his sister Katia uploaded to her Instagram.
The Portuguese forward showed off his six-pack and incredible dorsal muscles, and pulled up his shorts in trademark style as he stood with members of his family, including his niece Alicia and other sister Elma.
Ronaldo was in top form during the season before Serie A was suspended, and had hit a staggering 13 goals in his last 11 matches in all competition.
He has also been clear to his followers that they must follow the government advice and stay at home: 'If you ever dreamed of playing for millions around the world, now is your chance. Play inside, play for the world'.
Ronaldo's mother admitted at the weekend she feels lucky to be alive as she posted her first selfie since her hospital release showing her recovery.
Dolores was told she could go home nearly two weeks after medics at Madeira's Nelio Mendonca Hospital saved her life.
Romarrian_Reid
549
So leaving to take care of your mom is a crime now? If his mother has been released from the hospital why do you expect to see them taking hospital bedside selfies? And being out of shape after quarantine does this guy even know who Cristiano Ronaldo is?
Noocnsy
494
Im sorry Sir, do you think its safe to stay at Italy and Juventus when you found out your teammates are the first one to be tested positive? In this current situation, it is better for players to be where they want to be, it is their choice and people should respected it
mzeereal
445
He went for him s safety.. Lot of players post different things.. At least we saw some who still go to public and yet no comment but Cr7 took a pics in a private pool now then criticism is next
Dueakmosty
420
This is not time to slammed anybody it’s time to prayer so that our life can come to normal the whole world we have lost a lot of people already .
Keerzerg
338
Actually this isn’t true. This guy says Ronaldo asked for permission to leave while being under quarantine but this happened differently. Before the outbreak and mandatory quarantine, Ronaldo’s mother was hospitalized. He asked for permission to go to her then. Days after his mom was better, the whole team was out under quarantine. I actually commented a week ago or so that for CR7 that was a convenient timing, since he was already in Portugal. Now he’s enjoying time with his family and following instructions, STAYING AT HOME, IN HIS PRIVATE GYM AND POOL. But it seems that’s not enough... The one who actually started not following rules was Higuaín. His mom is battling cancer, and I support his decision to leave Italy, but facts are facts.
dasacdeimu
322
the chief brain have been infected with corona virus
kinbdipruz
306
He is always keeping in shape because he wants to be in shape and if he could be far from Italy or any other place, he rather be at home where he could be isolated from anything that could make him sick just Mister who ever director you are, be intelligent and don’t have jealousy
Benosky1
260
What's this man's envy??? Ronaldo's look or his records??😂😂😂😂