05 December 2023 , 18:32
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Cristiano Ronaldo is a team player despite being slammed as "selfish and petulant", according to a former Juventus chief.
The Portuguese forward, currently with Al-Nassr, left Manchester United under a cloud in 2022, with his controversial interview with Piers Morgan saw his Red Devils contract cancelled.
During his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo ruffled feathers with his United teammates following a series of outbursts. Despite his second stint with the club ending on a sour note, ex-Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has remained full of praise for the veteran forward.
“He was a very good player, he still is and above all he is a great champion.” Marotta told Cronache di Spogliatoio. “The champion is that person who manages to convey beliefs to his teammates.
“He was a bit of a leader of the team, he was the most famous and he dragged the others into the game. So, it was challenging, but he didn't make me angry.”
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Ronaldo proved a brilliant signing for Juventus following his move from Spanish giants Real Madrid. He scored 101 goals for the Turin side over three seasons, helping the Old Lady to two Serie A titles.
Marotta’s suggestion that Ronaldo is dedicated to the team goes against Alan Shearer's scathing assessment. Back in October 2022, the forward stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel before the final whistle during a win against Tottenham.
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Speaking at the time, Shearer said: "Showing respect to your team-mates, your manager and your club’s supporters are amongst the fundamentals in football and to refuse to come on as a substitute, as Erik ten Hag has confirmed, and retreat to the dressing room with a game still in progress takes a flamethrower to one of the primary dressing-room codes.
"In a team game, where the basic principle is that you’re all in it together win or lose, such a display of selfishness and petulance is desperately unprofessional and it’s right that Ronaldo should be disciplined by Manchester United because of it.
"His was a terrible example to set and it’s a shame that instead of reflecting on their best performance of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, Ten Hag has been forced to talk about someone who only figured on the periphery."
Following his Red Devils’ exit, Ronaldo has refound his goalscoring form. He has 32 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions for Al-Nassr - including 18 this term. Ronaldo has 18 months remaining on his contract in Saudi Arabia but so far has refused to confirm what his future holds.