Star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan has been making headlines for the past week and in the final instalment of his 90-minute interview, Ronaldo responded to the criticism he faced after he refused to come onto the pitch during Manchester United's 2-0 win against Tottenham last month.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner claimed that he was provoked by Erik ten Hag and said he doesn't respect the Manchester United boss because he doesn't show respect for him.
Ronaldo explained in length why he was not picked in the starting line-up at the start of the season but added that the relationship between the two was also strained because other things happened that people don't know about
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Ronaldo said: “I think he doesn't respect (me) the way I should deserve. But it is what it is. That is probably why the game against Tottenham, I left. .... This is why I say I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. This is why we are in that situation. I have to be honest that things are not going well because of that. Because empathy doesn't exist.”
Calling Gary Neville, not his friend, 37-year-old Ronaldo also elaborated on the pitchside controversy with his former United teammate.
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Ronaldo said: "It's hard to listen to that kind of criticism and negativity from people who played with you, for example, Gary Neville as well. It's easy to criticise if you don't know the whole story, it's easy. They are not my friends."
The Portuguese star refused to shake hands with Neville on the sidelines of the pitch after the English football expert criticised Ronaldo for his behaviour at Old Trafford.