Cristiano Ronaldo Responds to Euro 2024 Criticisms from Lineker and Shearer

Cristiano Ronaldo, a legendary football player currently representing Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, recently confronted criticisms directed at him by football pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. The criticism came following Portugal’s challenging Euro 2024 campaign. Ronaldo, who previously enjoyed successful stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, is regarded as one of the greatest football players, having scored 770 goals in 1,027 career appearances.

During Euro 2024, Ronaldo faced backlash, particularly from Lineker and Shearer, after his emotional display when Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak saved his penalty in extra time. Despite this setback, Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals after winning the match on penalties. Lineker and Shearer expressed frustration over Ronaldo’s reactions against Slovenia, suggesting he hindered his team’s success.

In his response, Ronaldo spoke with former teammate, Rio Ferdinand, where he vented his frustrations about the criticism from the British pundits. He remarked, “They don’t know nothing. It’s much easier to criticise than to appreciate what you really have.” Ronaldo further emphasized the media’s tendency to focus on negative narratives as a selling point, adding, “It’s normal. And if you speak about Cristiano, it’s coming on the first page because I’m the most followed guy in the world.”

Ronaldo also addressed his emotional reaction to the missed penalty, clarifying that his tears were not due to the fear of elimination. “When you have passion for what you are doing, you can’t be worried about how you’re feeling,” he explained. He mentioned the personal disappointment and concern for the fans, including his family members, who were attending the match, was his main reason for the emotional response.

His comments reflect an ongoing narrative surrounding his career as he maintains his stature as a global football icon, unfazed by criticisms from media personalities. Ronaldo concluded by expressing confidence in his public reception, claiming, “The world loves me! The fans love me! This is my motivation.”