Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus has labelled former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo as the "big flop" of the World Cup.
The tournament in Qatar was Ronaldo's fifth and most likely final World Cup of the 37-year-old's footballing career. Having scored Portugal's opening goal of the competition from the penalty spot in a 3-2 win over Ghana, the wheels rapidly fell off for the former United man.
That strike was to be Ronaldo's only goal of the World Cup, with Portugal manager Fernando Santos dropping the five-time Ballon d'Or winner from his county's starting XI for their final two matches.
The veteran's long-term rival Lionel Messi experienced a drastically different campaign with Argentina, as the Paris Saint-Germain star led the South American nation to victory - scoring seven goals and providing three assists along the way. The former Barcelona star was only out-scored by Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman notching a hat-trick during Sunday's thrilling final.
Matthaus has now taken aim at Ronaldo for his disappointing tournament, with the 61-year-old former World Cup winner pointing to the stark difference between the former United man and Messi's performance in the Middle East.
Matthaus told German outlet BILD : “Cristiano Ronaldo is of course the big flop of this World Cup, the opposite of Messi. He has damaged the team and himself with his ego trip.
“He was once a great footballer, a world-class goalscorer. Now he has permanently damaged this monument. I can’t imagine him finding another club. Somehow I feel sorry for Ronaldo.”
Football⚽/Fan
121
Not Only Flop of the World 🏆 - 1 Goal. But Also :-:-:- Flop Of the EPL - 1 league Goal and Also:-:-:- Flop of the Europa League - 2 Goals.... I Mean Flop of the Season and Year 2022 one & only Cristiano Ronaldo.
Podabilry
78
Before Sunday final Mbappe is better than Messi and Messi won the world 🌎 cup Suddenly Pele is the goat 🐐! Confused 😕 and shameless people every where. No functional brain at all
N0_N0NsENSE
61
Before the start of the world cup, Cristiano will do wonders at the world cup and shut down haters. After the world cup, Cristiano Ronaldo is 38 years old so put some respect and appreciate him for trying. [Crylaugh][Crylaugh] If age is the problem ask him to retire instead of forcing him into comparison with a far superior player, Lionel Messi 🐐
Nitackmnou
56
Messi new name is Pride of soccer the best in history the greatest of all time. haters kill yourself 0 Nitackmnou Today 6:18 PM I LOVE CR7 MY GOAT Of football And I have the same LOVE for MESSI But the difference there is I choose CR7 as my GoAt of football wish is my own pure opinion On the (Goat Debate)and its normal for someone else to choose MESSI as there GOAT of football. It’s just so funny why all CR7 Fans like me went silent since yesterday match. Are you guys scared I know my fellow true and real CR7 fans are outside there and No is Even bold enough to come out here and let this Cold World people to know that FIFA Did what they want in this World Cup because we have already know right from the begging that They want Argentina to win the Tournament. I’m not saying Argentina is not a good team sure they are with the calibers of player they have the talent they possessed with Messi in.. But with the help of FFA they won this World Cup. First penalty distracted Croatia in the semifinals and same thing happens in the final with France Same thing happened with Holland and those penalties don’t worth it because if it happens either way it won’t be a penalty. But this hate for CR7 causes all this because they want Messi to overcome CR7 but it has nothing to do with The GOAT debate because if we are to look deep into it .It is normal for us to take it from different sides. We are different Ok and we will never like the same thing Ever
jezabdnpyz
37
This 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ 🇶🇦 World Cup 🏆 Is The Ultimate And Final Conclusion About Who Is The GOAT 🐐 Between Messi 🇦🇷 And Ronaldo 🇵🇹. No More Arguments.., No More Debates.., No More Conflicts.. It's THE END.
BarcaChelArg
9
Messi new name is Pride of soccer the best in history the greatest of all time. haters kill yourself 0 Nitackmnou Today 6:18 PM I LOVE CR7 MY GOAT Of football And I have the same LOVE for MESSI But the difference there is I choose CR7 as my GoAt of football wish is my own pure opinion On the (Goat Debate)and its normal for someone else to choose MESSI as there GOAT of football. It’s just so funny why all CR7 Fans like me went silent since yesterday match. Are you guys scared I know my fellow true and real CR7 fans are outside there and No is Even bold enough to come out here and let this Cold World people to know that FIFA Did what they want in this World Cup because we have already know right from the begging that They want Argentina to win the Tournament. I’m not saying Argentina is not a good team sure they are with the calibers of player they have the talent they possessed with Messi in.. But with the help of FFA they won this World Cup. First penalty distracted Croatia in the semifinals and same thing happens in the final with France Same thing happened with Holland and those penalties don’t worth it because if it happens either way it won’t be a penalty. But this hate for CR7 causes all this because they want Messi to overcome CR7 but it has nothing to do with The GOAT debate because if we are to look deep into it .It is normal for us to take it from different sides. We are different Ok and we will never like the same thing Ever
But France had two penalties in open play!! The fallen hero never lacks a reason to his downfall. just admit and move on!! you celebrated when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia; what's the big deal!!!