Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has expressed his doubts that Cristiano Ronaldo makes teams worse following his departure from Old Trafford.
Last month, United opted to part ways with Ronaldo following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan. During the conversation, the 37-year-old took aim at the club, the Glazers, Erik ten Hag and former teammates who have previously criticised him.
He did thank Keane and Rio Ferdinand who have often backed Ronaldo despite his poor form this season. Speaking to Sky Bet, the 51-year-old cited Juventus as an example of a club regressing following the departure of Portugal's captain.
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"Are footballers supposed to be perfect?" Keane questioned. "Cristiano Ronaldo had this attitude 10 years ago, but the following game he would score a hat trick, and he was 27 - everyone would forgive him.
"People say that he makes teams worse - Juventus haven’t done anything since he left them a couple of years ago." Ronaldo's attitude has once again been under the spotlight during the World Cup in Qatar.
Having scored once from the penalty spot in the group stages, Ronaldo was selected on the bench for the Round of 16 clash with Switzerland in Lusail. His replacement, Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, went on to score a hat-trick with the Portuguese legend having to settle for a second half cameo appearance.
Following the fixture, Ronaldo was spotted leaving the on-pitch celebrations early while his teammates celebrated their quarter final progression. Portuguese media outlet Record would then claim that the 37-year-old threatened to leave the national team when he discovered that he would not start, however the country's FA has since denied this claim.
After Ramos' fine display, it is likely that Ronaldo will once again be on the bench when Portugal face Morocco on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The winner of that fixture will face either France or England in the semi-finals next Wednesday.
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