After Branding Own Nation a ‘Circus’, Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo Torn to Shreds Over Criticism on Portuguese TV Show

Cristiano Ronaldo may have moved to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but he’s had plenty to say about his home country Portugal. Ronaldo called Portugal and the Portuguese league “a circus” earlier, while defending the SPL stating, “It turns out to be a circus what has been happening lately.” Ronaldo has since received considerable backlash for his comments.

Ronaldo’s comments were met with severe scrutiny by the Portuguese TV show members who suggested calling the Portuguese soccer “a circus” was unjustified. They further suggested that they thought the Saudi Pro League was the real “circus” stating that the term “applies more to the Saudi league.”

Cristiano Ronaldo berated on show for calling Portuguese soccer a circus

The members of the TV show were Vítor Santos, Luís Freitas Lobo, and João Ricardo Pateiro who voiced their opinions on the show Visão de Jogo. The trio spoke about Portugal, the current level of Portuguese soccer, and also addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments.

According to a report in the media outlet OJogo, the TV presenters were quoted, “At the moment, we are well aware of the level of demand we have for the national team. And the fact that we’re setting that standard is a compliment, not a criticism. Portugal is, from the outset, qualified for the 2024 European Championship, given the difference that currently exists between these teams.”

“The expectations we have of our national team, which are in line with the quality of our players, have to do with the level of play. Winning yes, but that’s not everything. Coach Roberto Martínez says he has 82 players under observation, but then Paulinho doesn’t fit in, for example,” the report added.

Further adding, “I don’t think Ronaldo is right when he says that Portuguese soccer is a circus. In Saudi Arabia, the biggest investor in soccer, which doesn’t even invest in all the clubs to the same extent, is the state. The word circus, which I don’t think applies in any way to the Portuguese league, even applies more to the Saudi league.”

CR7 has been ardently supporting the Saudi Pro League making several positive comments about the SPL to the media. Ronaldo earlier said, “I believe that the Arab League is better than the Portuguese one. It’s not just the controversy, there’s not so much fuss, and the quality of the names is much better.”

Also read: “Will Not Lose Against Al Nassr”- Cristiano Ronaldo Warned Just 7 Days Before Major Continental Clash

Meanwhile, CR7 has returned to Al Nassr after his international duties, missing out on Portugal’s historic win.

Ronaldo misses Portugal’s 9-0 win over Luxembourg

The Portuguese star had a poor showing in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Slovakia. It was a performance that gathered considerable criticism. Ronaldo also missed Portugal’s game against Luxembourg as he was suspended because of accumulating too many yellow cards.

Ronaldo picked up an unnecessary yellow card for a foul on Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. However, the Al Nassr forward did send his Portuguese teammates words of encouragement on social media ahead of the Luxembourg match. Portgual eventually battered Luxembourg 9-0, in a historic win, with Bruno Fernandes scoring 1 and assisting 3.

Nevertheless, CR7 will surely look to regain some form for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in the coming game week.

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