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Since his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo has received plenty of criticism from media and pundits while he was reduced to a substitute player for an all-important clash against Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16. However, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed the all-time top goal scorer in international football amid criticism.
Cristiano Ronaldo played under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015 and recorded the greatest individual goalscoring season in UEFA Champions League history during the 2013-14 season, when he scored 17 goals.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos started the 37-year-old striker on the bench for the knockout fixture against Switzerland as his replacement Goncalo Ramos made the perfect use of the opportunity and scored a hattrick. Despite all the criticism, Ancelotti backed the Portuguese captain and told Mais Futebol, "Ronaldo’s last dance? I don’t know, he probably still feels like he’s 20 because he’s okay, he’s got the answers he’s looking for in his body."
The 63-year-old Italian praised Ronaldo's hard work to maintain his physique and added, "He’s always taken great care of his physique. However, the competition in the Portugal national team is very strong. I had him for two years, zero problems.
"Actually, he solved my problems. Can someone who scores at least one goal per game be considered a problem? Cristiano trains very well, pays attention to detail, for me it was very easy to deal with. He’s an exceptional player."
Meanwhile, Portugal are scheduled to face Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal on Saturday night at the Al Thumama Stadium as Cristiano playing in the starting XI remain in doubts.