Cristiano Ronaldo speaks before Portugal vs Denmark: "I haven't liked the negativity surrounding the national team"
Cristiano Ronaldo fronted the media before Portugal's UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against Denmark at Estádio José Alvalade. The Seleção have to overturn a deficit in Lisboa after losing the first leg 1-0 in Denmark.
Portugal's captain addressed a number of issues including criticism of the team and manager Roberto Martínez.
Ronaldo speaks
"We are trying to remedy things. We are in a more tense moment, not a matter of life or death, but we know that we have to win. And we know that tomorrow we need the fans. To transmit the strength and positivity that we need. I believe that tomorrow will be a beautiful day for football fans and we have to think positively."
There is no other option. Anyone who wants to join the national team has to have the ambition to win. What I have seen in the last few days has been people with their heads down and that is completely out of my vocabulary. We only lost the first half and I have never lost in the first half. Tomorrow is the second half. Have Portugal never lost in Denmark? What is the problem?"
There are games like this, where things don't go well for us... Tactically, things didn't go well at all, I didn't play well, the team didn't play well. In your career as a journalist, you must have also asked questions that weren't good. It's part of life... We are not computers. And tomorrow I want to leave Alvalade with my head held high. I believe it will be a beautiful night."
I don't agree with the attitude. There's never a lack of attitude here in the national team. Obviously, technical things failed. But that's football and things don't always go well. The environment wasn't conducive either. I've already played 50 thousand bad games... It's part of it. There's no need to be nervous, just clear your head and have a good training session today."
I have no idea if I will, but I am always ready to play. What I know is that I will be ready tomorrow physically and mentally to help the team, because I have the tools to do so."
The criticism is for everyone, players, staff, directors... We are all in the same boat. No one escapes here. When the team wins, we all win and when it loses, we all lose. Now we have to think positively and say "calm down".
I don't agree with the criticism. I think the team has maintained an excellent level. For me, the best generations are those that win, it doesn't matter if they win gold, silver or brass. They are those that bring the troops together, regardless of their quality."
I would like to take this opportunity to say that I haven't liked the negativity surrounding the national team and I even think that some of the questions that have been asked are disrespectful. Now we need the fans to support us and create the atmosphere that we had in Denmark."
We'll try to give our best. I don't believe anyone is here without trying to give their best. I just want to win. If I don't score and Portugal wins, I'll sign it right away. I've always said that and I'll continue to support the national team when I'm no longer here."