Cristiano Ronaldo, a forward for Manchester United, has given an explanation for his recent blanking of Gary Neville, a club legend.
Prior to Man United’s Premier League match against West Ham at the end of October, Ronaldo embraced former Red Devils attacker Louis Saha and former Tottenham star Jamie Redknapp, who were both on the field for Sky Sports’ punditry duties.
Neville, who had criticised Ronaldo earlier in the month for refusing to enter the game as a second-half substitute against Spurs, was present, but the Portugal captain gave him the finger.
Speaking with British journalist, Piers Morgan, Ronaldo made it clear that the snub was prompted by Neville’s criticism, adding that the former defender and former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney are not his friends.
“It is hard to listen to that kind of criticism and negativity from people that played with you, for example, Gary Neville as well,” Ronaldo said.
“People can have their own opinion, but they don’t really know what is going on, for example, inside the training ground, Carrington, and even in my life.
“They should listen to not only one point of view, but they should also listen to my point of view as well because it is easy to criticize – if you don’t know the whole story, it is easy.”
Asked if he’s still friends with both Neville and Rooney, Ronaldo responded bluntly: “They are not my friends.
“It is easy to criticise, I don’t know if they have a job in television that means they must criticise to be more famous. I really don’t understand.”