Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo described ex-teammates Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand as "good guys" before insisting that the former is the best captain he ever played under.
The Portugal international has sparked widespread controversy with his recent interview with Piers Morgan, slamming his treatment at Old Trafford following his return to the club.
Ronaldo has also responded to criticism from former teammates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, while thanking some of the other players he lined-up alongside in a Red shirt.
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When asked about his old captain Keane, as well as ex-defender Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude towards the pair for supporting him during the past year or so.
"It means a lot because they… I was in the dressing room with them. They are part of my journey in football as well," he said. "As I mentioned many times, Roy Keane for me was my best captain ever. Rio Ferdinand helped me a lot. He was my neighbour, I was his neighbour. So very, very good guys.
"Not just because they speak good about me, but they were there in the dressing room. They are football players. They know how players think and behave."
However, Ferdinand has since criticised the 37-year-old for his interview with Morgan, deeming it indefensible.
"You can't sit here and defend that from Cristiano Ronaldo," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast. "Deep down and I know it for a fact, this has all been manufactured for one thing - and that's for him to leave the club.
"This love affair with Man United that Cristiano has had is over in my eyes. I don't feel there's anyway back, I don't feel the club will take him back and I don't think that he wants to come back. This is all manufactured for that reason."
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