Gary Neville sends Cristiano Ronaldo message to stop three things

World Cup 2022 briefing: Day 17

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Manchester United icon Gary Neville has told Cristiano Ronaldo that the Portugal star needs to “listen to the truth” after the international captain was dropped to the bench in his country’s last 16 World Cup tie with Switzerland. There had been rumours of a falling out between the 37-year-old and Portugal boss Fernando Santos, as Goncalo Ramos was called to the team to replace the former United man.

Neville admitted that while Ronaldo’s legacy was secure after his accomplishments, the end of his career was becoming “scruffy” after his contract was terminated at Old Trafford and called on him to stop being petulant, stomping around and sulking. “When it happened at United it was the suggestion it was because [Erik] ten Hag was trying to make a move on him, establish his authority,” Neville told ITV.

“This is a manager who’s got an unbelievable relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for eight years and there are a lot of fans of Cristiano Ronaldo who aren’t willing to tell him the truth and I think he does need to listen to the truth, that it’s becoming a little bit of a scruffy end. It wouldn’t surprise me if he came on tonight and scored the winner, but the petulance, the stomping around, the sulking, it’s got to stop because it doesn’t reflect on him well.

“His legacy is set, that’s protected as one of the greatest football players of all-time, but in the short term he’s got to do a lot better. Is the Juventus manager wrong? Is the Manchester United manager wrong? And is the Portugal manager wrong? That’s three of them now who’ve done the same thing with him.”

Arsenal icon Ian Wright, on the panel with Neville, echoed his colleague’s sentiments. “At the end of the day it’s a team game,” Wright added. “He’s come to this stage now where he’s not played well the last few years.

“Gary’s mentioned this, it’s not ended well, it’s ending acrimonious and it seems like he isn’t enjoying it at the minute, he doesn’t seem happy. It’s a sad situation. When’s the last time he’s heard no? It feels like that to me.”

Portugal boss Santos was reportedly unhappy with a comment that Ronaldo made after he was substituted off in the final group stage in his side’s 2-1 defeat to South Korea.

Santos admitted in the build-up to the game that he was not impressed with Ronaldo’s antics. “Have I seen the images [of Ronaldo while being substituted]? Yes, I didn’t like it, not at all,” admitted Santos on Monday.

“I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it. But from that moment onwards everything is finished regarding that issue. These matters are resolved behind closed doors. It’s resolved. Full stop on this matter and now everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match.”

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