Jamie Carragher has expressed his admiration for Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo as the 37-year-old reaches a juncture in his career following his Old Trafford exit.
The former Liverpool defender hasn't been shy in his criticism of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner since his return to the Premier League and was famously snubbed by Ronaldo during Sky Sports coverage.
However, Carragher has offered sympathy to the now-free agent after a career-long battle with Lionel Messi. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: "I'm no huge Ronaldo fan and that's pretty obvious and that's not for his football ability.
"It's actually (that) I've got that much admiration for him and his mental strength, I just think it's unbelievable, one of the strongest mentally because he's had that thing his whole for how good he is, Messi's on his shoulder.
"It's always he could never sit back and go 'I'm the best' and relax, it's constant 'you're not as good as Messi', it splits people but I'd say the majority of people would side with Messi - I would imagine.
"I think to always have that and to always prove people wrong, it's almost like it doesn't feel like he's not rated - although he's one of the best of all time - and I can't help but admire that drive, because I've got that drive just not that ability that he's got.
"It's sad for him the way people are speaking about Messi towards the end of his career and Ronaldo - it's completely different. It's nothing to do with what's going on on the pitch, it's that idea that Ronaldo was about himself, his ego whereas Messi is painted as this saint figure.
"People are talking about wanting Messi to win the World Cup, with Ronaldo it's like he's not the same player but who is the same player at 37? But he's getting criticised as a player at 37, 38 when really he should be getting lauded but the way he comes across, he storms off the pitch, storms down the tunnel, he's giving that interview, people are gunning for him now."
Ronaldo_Loser
0
I’m sure you know this is a stupid argument because everyone has the right to choose whosoever they want as their Goat. Neymar is a Goat to some people, Ronaldo Is a Goat to some people and Messi is a Goat to some people. Everybody has the right to their opinion
Yes its your personal opinion but the world class players who have actually played the sport chose Messi as the GOAT.
Javimor
0
Dude nobody likes you Messi called you a donkey And Ronaldo blanked you
Ezenko1
2
CR7 the GOAT always
xanta
0
The England can’t forgive cr7 for sending them to hell in that quarter final 2014
*2006
lakcmnoru
5
The England can’t forgive cr7 for sending them to hell in that quarter final 2014
donjoemerald
1
Jamie Carragher explains why he has was so critical of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. What a blunderbuss headline?
Zenbepu
0
Your goat..But the whole universe now knows that Leo Messi is the real GOAT..so CR5 should just retire rather than playing in Saudi Arabia and becoming a puupet of the east..If he has some dignity left that is.
I’m sure you know this is a stupid argument because everyone has the right to choose whosoever they want as their Goat. Neymar is a Goat to some people, Ronaldo Is a Goat to some people and Messi is a Goat to some people. Everybody has the right to their opinion
fueacmnu
0
childishness. Even if he didn't score that goal, shouldn't he celebrate when Portugal scores? Seems Messi fans are suffering from inferiority complex. Now, Cr7 can't celebrate a goal score by colleague player? Ridiculous!!
Pathological liar ness . He did not celebrate with his teammates . He tried to claim it for himself. Tapinaldo fans suffer from pervasive lie as your state of existence since 2007 .
Fiobcekmtu
0
My Bad . You guys mean Ronaldo who tried to steal his own teammates goal .😂🤣😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
childishness. Even if he didn't score that goal, shouldn't he celebrate when Portugal scores? Seems Messi fans are suffering from inferiority complex. Now, Cr7 can't celebrate a goal score by colleague player? Ridiculous!!
Ameimessi
0
he act talk and show off like a 24 years old cr7? he claim he is still the best player. so people start trolling his poor performance, lack of respect for teammates, coach, club and everything. he dig his own grave. his fans were making blunt claim that he is the goat when he scored just a penalty goal without playing football at all. all the make real football fans furious and they pour the truth on him
Andy_Mac
2
Ronaldo Strong Mentality - First Used Sister account to Blamed Oen players & coach. than used Piers Morgan interview to blamed players & Coach & to insult Messi. Messi Mentality - Even after losing 4 final, He helped His team to win copa America, finallissma, Worldcup as MVP of the tournament as a captain 👮.
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Ronaldo's "hard work" is a myth. The guy doesn't run much on the pitch much. He's 37 years old so of course his legs are gone. But I've seen players like Modrić (same age as him) or even 35 year old Messi run more than Cristiano Ronaldo at 35. He just waits for the ball near the penalty box. Barely ever drops back and helps his teammates.
Vicsammy
0
He is just too aggressive,that’s all
Kizabckory
0
OK now that you are against him what is your profit let him enjoy is live
taabekmy
0
Your goat..But the whole universe now knows that Leo Messi is the real GOAT..so CR5 should just retire rather than playing in Saudi Arabia and becoming a puupet of the east..If he has some dignity left that is.
what is your prblm are a player or youre just a street kid.have you ever played soccer in your life it seems like youre a fisherman
taabekmy
1
cr7 is a legand to loose world cup is not a crime babooms can make a lot of noise against cr7.leave cr7 alone we all no that he lost the world cup.stop those nosense you bats
fueacmnu
0
Brazilian Ronaldo[Crylaugh]
That makes sense
nahadmtuz
5
Jamie Carragher please mind your business and don’t talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, after all all your life you been against Manchester United. Shut your dirty mouth now.
Ronaldo_Loser
0
Who is Ronaldo? 😂🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣
Brazilian Ronaldo[Crylaugh]
Ronaldo_Loser
0
Ronaldo is a legend that is why the media is using his name to make money, guys leave him alone,is God that creates him however he may not be perfect,they should let him be.cr7 still my goat
Your goat..But the whole universe now knows that Leo Messi is the real GOAT..so CR5 should just retire rather than playing in Saudi Arabia and becoming a puupet of the east..If he has some dignity left that is.
miadilmopy
6
Jamie Carragher what Cristiano Ronaldo did to you levels the guy alone Cristiano Ronaldo never talk 👄 about you but you always talking 👄 about you respect Cristiano Ronaldo why you some off England xeis England players jealous about Cristiano Ronaldo is better than you guys
racbcmpruz
6
Ronaldo is a legend that is why the media is using his name to make money, guys leave him alone,is God that creates him however he may not be perfect,they should let him be.cr7 still my goat
fihacepy
3
That interview ruin the soft spot I had. He said it and said he didn’t care. And I am saying it and I saying I don’t care about him either… If you like argue with your keypads on the comments. That is not sport like thing to do. Pier Morgan is his real enemy. That fat pig feed n got so much money from that interview.
fueacmnu
4
My Bad . You guys mean Ronaldo who tried to steal his own teammates goal .😂🤣😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
fueacmnu
3
Who is Ronaldo? 😂🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣
Citdinrst
0
Liverpool flop.
Football⚽/Fan
6
Ronaldo Strong Mentality - First Used Sister account to Blamed Oen players & coach. than used Piers Morgan interview to blamed players & Coach & to insult Messi. Messi Mentality - Even after losing 4 final, He helped His team to win copa America, finallissma, Worldcup as MVP of the tournament as a captain 👮.
UnusualKing
3
He only have himself to blame