Former Portugal and Real Madrid star Fabio Coentrao has slammed the criticism of his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for the way he has conducted himself this season.
The 37-year-old parted ways with United after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan that saw him criticise the club, Erik ten Hag and the Glazers.
A number of the forward's former team-mates have shared their views on the situation, including Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney among many others.
Coentrao, however, who played alongside Ronaldo both at Real Madrid and for Portugal, has spoken out on the criticism that he has faced for his bombshell interview and walking off the bench early in United's victory over Tottenham.
'I don't feel motivated to talk but I had to because I don't like to hear what they say about Cristiano,' Coentrao told Portuguese news outlet Record PT.
'There are ex-players who were nothing, they were sh*t, and they talk about Cristiano as if they were something [in football]. They don't have to talk like that.
'Even if he's not performing at his level, it's pretty ugly. People start talking about him, saying he gets along badly with his team-mates and things get misinterpreted.
'It's a horrible thing, I know how he is. I lived with him for many years and he doesn't have to tell me how things are: I know.
'It's impossible that Cristiano doesn't get along with Bruno [Fernandes] or with one of his team-mates, [because he is a] fantastic person.'
There has been questions over a rift in the Portugal dressing room between Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, given his bombshell interview about United.
There was intrigue surrounding a seemingly frosty reception Ronaldo got from Fernandes when they met up for the first time at Portugal’s pre-World Cup training camp in Lisbon.
Fernandes, however, revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo joked about getting to Portugal’s team base faster in his personal jet than his former-Manchester United teammate did by scheduled flight, when the two first met up for the World Cup campaign.
Fernandes said: ‘Actually I was in a plane for two hours. I was not in the same mood, and he made a joke. He has his plane, his possibility, this time I wasn’t able to join him.
'When we have possibility we travel together but when you take scheduled flights there are delays. He could laugh. I couldn’t.’
Ronaldo is now a free agent and has been linked with a move to Chelsea, with Blues owner Todd Boehly reportedly keen on bringing the Portuguese star to Stamford Bridge.
There is also talks of a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia's Pro League, given Al-Hilal previously offered Ronaldo contract worth £210million for two seasons.
The forward is currently at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar preparing for Portugal's opening clash against Ghana this afternoon.
His future is unlikely to be decided before the end of the tournament with full focus on adding the World Cup to his Euro 2016 winners medal.
Ronaldo will also be determined to score in a fifth World Cup, breaking a record currently held by an elite group of players including Pele, Lionel Messi, Miroslav Klose, and Uwe Seeler.
Kazdelmpst
0
Those who ex- football player criticized to Cristiano ronaldo . There nothing to say in any media they needs the insta followers and more views etc.But no matters what Cr.7 will remain always Goats in football for Cr lovers.
bcguite
0
he need to accept his age
Nunciklmyz
0
Coentrao said it's all fuckin player's do nothing in football ⚽ talk too damn much bout Ronaldo people who played good football know Ronaldo is very good the best Pele etc not fools who knows nothing about the game
winbins
0
Home country support home country
Jodikmopz
0
ronald is the best ever he can't be tarnished by reckless man u if he was at mancity all these stories was going to be praising him the problem is the owners they don't care about soccer they want money only
Homiknoprt
4
wether hate or love no one can change or take away what he has achieved in football, if truth be told, we all know that erik ten hag hate Ronaldo and decided to use him ( Ronaldo )to prove to the rest of the players that he's a no nonsense coach, ths is the same player he was saying that he's part of the team when he came to the club, to cut everything short erik ten hag has accomplished his mission towards Ronaldo but can never and never take anything away from his achievements in football, in other words he ( erik ten hag ) came late to the life of Ronaldo because he ( Ronaldo ) has achieved it all and hav nothing to prove to anyone again, because his name is already written, because what's written is written.
wiwenprsy
1
He is my Goat 🐐 no matter what critical time he must pass though am behind him, good luck to you CR7 and good luck to the entire Portugal team in quata
let me add you "r" in your "qata"...🇵🇹
n0ne321
6
There are ex-players who were nothing, they were sh*t, and they talk about Cristiano as if they were something [in football]. They don't have to talk like that"""
S100K
1
Ronaldo and Messi would be coming home early from the world Cup and he'll have all the time to sort out his future and find a new Club, maybe in Saudi Arabia or the US
MwenePuta
0
Of course, he's a compatriot! Could I crucify Ryan Nyambe, seriously? patriotism is very important!!!!
cecboruz
3
He is my Goat 🐐 no matter what critical time he must pass though am behind him, good luck to you CR7 and good luck to the entire Portugal team in quata
zoedknrtuy
3
gary neville needs to hear this , kinda shit player but always Talks bad on Ronaldo
Doocdem
4
But it is MY Player Ronaldo criticizing.