Iker Casillas believes Cristiano Ronaldo is still a strong contender to win the Golden Boot at the World Cup despite his slow start to the campaign.
The Portuguese superstar has struck just three times in 16 matches for Manchester United this season and has struggled for form ever since Erik ten Hag became the Red Devils' boss back in May. Ronaldo, who has also hit the headlines over the past week after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, will be looking to prove the doubters wrong in Qatar over the next month.
Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by the club, while he criticised owners the Glazers and chatted about many other topics, including the World Cup and his exit from Old Trafford against Tottenham last month. Having lost his place in the United starting XI to Marcus Rashford as the central striker, many pundits and supporters don't think Ronaldo will set the competition alight despite his impressive international record.
However, former Real Madrid teammate Casillas has tipped Ronaldo to go on and challenge for the Golden Boot at the tournament, with Portugal set to face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H. The 37-year-old has never won the World Cup, although he is the outright top scorer at international level after pipping Iran legend Ali Daei's record.
"It seems that Cristiano has come to the World Cup as a guest and people don't count on him because of all the trouble he has at Manchester United," Casillas told Marca. "But... I do [have him as a contender for the Golden Boot].
"When people talk about Cris they forget what he has done. Come on, he doesn't forget, because he knows what he's done."
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Ronaldo could be set to leave United in January after he slammed the club with the Red Devils confirming they had already taken appropriate steps to deal with the interview. A club statement read on Friday: "Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's recent media interview.
"We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion."
A number of clubs have been linked with Ronaldo's signature should he leave Old Trafford after the World Cup. Casillas, who played with Ronaldo for nine years in Madrid, has claimed he would still like the veteran on his team despite his age and goal record this season.
He added: "But I would always like him on my team. Cristiano still has the string to play at the highest level." Portugal face Ghana in their first World Cup outing on Thursday, with Ronaldo eyeing a first World Cup success at the sixth attempt.
