‘Look at me’ – Cristiano Ronaldo calls out reporter’s antics after ‘disrespectful questions’
03/23/2025 06:49 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at the negativity around Portugal by calling out ‘disrespectful’ questions during his press conference.
The 40-year-old has found himself under renewed scrutiny following his struggles in his country’s 1-0 Nations League defeat to Denmark.
Ronaldo had the fewest touches (30) of any outfield player who played the full 90 minutes and he didn’t manage a single shot on target.
To add insult to injury, Denmark’s matchwinner Rasmus Hojlundcopied his celebration after bagging the only goal.
It continued a recent trend for Ronaldo in big games for his country following his well-publicised issues at Euro 2024.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner ended the tournament with no goals from 23 shots – the most attempts of any player in the competition – as Portugal crashed out at the quarter-finals.
Less than a year later, Roberto Martinez‘s side risks failing at the same stage to achieve silverware unless they win the do-or-die second-leg.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ronaldo took umbrage with the topics he and his manager were faced with.
Journalists questioned whether there is a lack of demand to win and play nice football and whether Ronaldo can still manage 90 minutes, as well as detailing overall criticisms of both the team and Martinez.
Ronaldo defiantly responded: "I feel like there’s a lot of negativity around the national team.
"I’ve watched some of the press conferences over the last few days – I didn’t like what I saw, I don’t like it.
"And honestly, some of the questions you’ve asked were just disrespectful.
"If you want answers from me, look me in the eyes when you ask.
"There’s no point asking me something and then looking down at your computer.
"You’ll have time for that later. If necessary, I will say it ten times."
One of the things Ronaldo was keen to stress was that the team came above him, saying: “If Portugal has to win and I don’t play, I’ll sign it down.”
On the overall feelings surrounding the return match with Denmark, the Al Nassr forward continued: “The air is more tense. I won’t hide it.
“We are in a more tense moment because we need to win, but that’s the beauty of football. Tomorrow, I appeal to the fans to be with us.
“To transmit their strength to us, because we are going to try to do our best. That is my hope, that tomorrow will be a beautiful day for everyone.”
Ronaldo added: “There is no other option. Anyone who is proud to represent this symbol must have this ambition.
“I have lost games in 90 minutes, but I have never lost in the first half. Tomorrow is the second half.
“There are games like that, there are bad days. I didn't play at all, the team didn't play at all, but it's part of life.
“Tomorrow I want to leave the Alvalade Stadium with my head held high. If all the Portuguese people are on our side.”
Ronaldo did have a message to send to Hojlund after the Manchester United man insisted he meant no disrespect by copying his celebration.
Keen to stress he has no issue with the ex-Atalanta centre-forward, the Portugal skipper laughed and said: “It’s no problem for me.
“I know it wasn’t out of disrespect. It is not only him who does my celebration around the world.
“I’m smart enough to understand that. For me, it is an honour.
“I hope to do it in front of him tomorrow [on Sunday].
