Ozil launches Ronaldo rant as ex-Arsenal hero demands ‘more respect’

Portugal fans suggest next club for Ronaldo after Man Utd exit

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Cristiano Ronaldo has received backing in the unlikely form of Mesut Ozil after the former Arsenal star launched a passionate defence of his former Real Madrid team-mate. The Portugal star has been widely criticised in recent months over an alarming dip in form and his behaviour off the pitch, but Ozil has called for Ronaldo to be shown “more respect” by fans and the media.

Ozil, now plying his trade in Turkey with Istanbul Basaksehir, jumped to the defence of the Portuguese forward and spoke out about the negative coverage of Ronaldo in the press, accusing pundits and fans of criticising him to get publicity for themselves.

“I really don’t get where this constant negativity from the press about Cristiano comes from…” he wrote via his Twitter account to his 26.2 million followers.

“The Media is just trying to get clicks, and pundits who don’t have a career anymore just want to get attention with his big name and try to make him look bad…

Ozil’s act of protection for the 37-year-old comes after he was dropped by Portugal for their 6-1 win over Switzerland, with boss Fernando Santos revealing he “did not like” the superstar’s reaction to being substituted against South Korea in the final group stage game.

Ronaldo was then accused of threatening to leave their World Cup camp after learning that he had been dropped, something Portugal and the player swiftly denied. Former Manchester United striker Ronaldo took aim at “outside forces” for trying to cause divides within the squad, insisting he was happy to stay in Qatar.

He was also blasted for comments made about United, the Glazer family and Erik ten Hag in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in November, which ultimately led to his £500,000-a-week being terminated by the club.

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