Turin: Portugal coach Fernando Santos has come in support of Cristiano Ronaldo saying criticism won’t affect his game for the national team. Ronaldo has been heavily criticised after Juventus lost their round of 16 match against Porto in the Champions League.
Porto’s decisive goal came through the legs of the Portuguese superstar during a free-kick as he turned into the defensive wall. The Corriere dello Sport said, “Betrayed by Ronaldo” in their newspaper.
But Portuguese manager Santos isn’t making any anti-statements against his team’s captain. He has been very clear about his talisman’s potential and would be certainly starting in their next World Cup qualification match against Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
“When Cristiano is with the national team, he always comes with the same vision, the same passion, the same will, the same joy,” said Santos. “He always gives 100% when he comes to the national team. I don’t think he has any problem in terms of mentality at the moment,” he further added.
Ronaldo has been linked to joining his former club Real Madrid CF in the summer transfer window, the club where he won four Champions League titles.
“I give advice to Cristiano personally. I was his head coach when he was 18, and we have a close relationship,” said Santos. He further added, “We talk a lot, but these are private conversations between friends. We don’t really have a coach-player relationship, but it is different when he is in the national team. If he asks me for any advice, I will let him know what I think.”
