Cristiano Ronaldo Critics Questioned by Ricardo Quaresma

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate, Ricardo Quaresma, has hit out at critics of the Real Madrid forward, insisting those who decry his achievements will only make him stronger.  

The current Besiktas winger was speaking with Marca about his compatriot, suggesting those who were critical in their assessment of the former Manchester United man have no foundation for their views:

"

I don't understand how some people dare to criticise Cristiano Ronaldo after everything he's done in football. In terms of his mental strength he's one the players I most admire, I've never seen a player as strong as him in that sense. He scores 50 or 60 goals every season, challenges for the Ballon d'Or. I don't know what else they can ask of him

I think people are unfair to Cristiano sometimes, although deep down it gives him the strength to carry on. 

"

Hektor Pustina (AP)/Associated Press

Despite his stunning recent form, there have been some reported criticisms of Ronaldo.

According to El Confidencial (h/t Sport), Los Blancos President Florentino Perez said “you don't beat players like before, you never go past anyone” to the forward last season. Ronaldo’s poor strike rate from free-kicks has also been mentioned recently, with Pablo Polo and L.A. Diaz of Marca stating that from 263 dead-ball shots outside of the box, the Portuguese has only found the back of the net 18 times.

But to be critical of these particular facets of Ronaldo’s game when he offers so much to the team would be a little harsh, as Quaresma notes. As we can see here, courtesy of Sky Sports (h/t FourFourTweet), the 30-year-old is already one of the best goalscorers of this generation:

So while he may not be quite as willing to take players on as he was when he was a capricious winger for Manchester United or offer a regular threat from set pieces, there’s absolutely no denying Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. Indeed, he has evolved his game to become a force of nature at the forefront of the Real Madrid team.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

It won’t be long before we see the Portuguese become an out-and-out No. 9, and while that’s likely to mean less spectacular bits of play, goals will surely continue to flow. That’s been evident with some poacher-like finishes early in the season, but some, like Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, are still critical:

But as long as Ronaldo keeps scoring goals and keeps winning games for his team, the majority will continue to recognise just how good a forward he is. Real Madrid will be desperate to bounce back this campaign after an underwhelming 2014-15, and regardless of how they come, Ronaldo’s goals can be the foundation to their renaissance.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Quaresma is a player who, like Ronaldo, came through at a young age with masses of talent but an erratic edge. While the former Barcelona man has gone on to enjoy a decent career, the Los Blancos No. 7 has continued to elevate himself, channelled his ability and preserved an insatiable hunger for goals. 

It’s those intangibles, as well as his remarkable statistics, which will ensure Ronaldo is rightly remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats.