Ronaldo Dismisses Criticism for His Performance in the Champions League Final

With an impressive record in the Champions League, Real Madrid superstar remains unperturbed about criticism regarding his performance in the final at San Siro.

(Image credit: USA Today Sports)

The Portuguese winger scored the winning goal during the penalty shootout against Atletico Madrid in last Saturday’s Champions League final, which saw Real Madrid clinch their record 11th European triumph. However, his performance during the 120 minutes of the match was brought into question, as he gave very little to contribute to his side’s victory.

Ronaldo was effectively silenced by Atletico’s defenders on a night where he would have hoped to put on the best performance of the season. Despite failing to make an impact during the final, the mere fact that he’s scored the fifth and final penalty during the shootout will go down as one of his defining moments.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner is unfazed by the criticism he received for his display at San Siro, as he remarked that critics are simply “jealous,” and that he dedicates his Champions League win for his close ones.

“Only the jealous don’t feel that. I don’t care about that. I always keep the people who love me (close). So this Champions League is for them, the guys who support me all the time, my fans in Portugal and around the world,” said Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star shows no signs of slowing down in goalscoring charts, despite turning 31 years of age earlier in the year. His Champions League winning goal brought his tally in the competition to 16 goals, and 51 overall for the season. “After this I have more than 4,000 minutes on the pitch this season. I was number one in the team again, for most minutes,” Ronaldo commented. “That means a lot to me. It means I am still good, I still feel good physically, mentally. I you ask me if I feel tired, of course. I have a lot of minutes in the legs but I am still there, I am always there.”

Ronaldo scores the winning penalty that landed Real Madrid their 11th Champions League trophy
(Image credit: The Guardian)

After joining the royal club in 2009 for a world-record fee (£80 million/€94 million), Ronaldo has become Real Madrid’s top goalscorer in record time. In merely seven seasons with Los Blancos, he’s overtaken former teammate Raul as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer (323), by netting a whopping 364 goals in only 348 appearances for the club. Taking aside his first season where he scored 33 goals overall, since 2010 he’s consistently kept an envious goal tally that only Messi can match, by finding the back of the net no less than 50 times each of the last six seasons. He’s regularly the favourite by online sportsbooks to be the top goalscorer in every competition that Real Madrid participates.

“I showed the team I am there for the good moments and bad moments,” stressed Ronaldo. “This is what makes me feel proud. For seven years now I’m scoring more than 50 goals every year, but I am always asking more from myself.”

The former Manchester United player recalled the time when he won his first European title in 2008 with the Red Devils, and added that a “positive attitude” is the key behind his trophy-laden career. “I remember when I won the first time for Manchester it was a special night. Two years ago against Atletico. Every time is special. When you speak about the best clubs in the world you should be thinking that you are going to win important things. I am always thinking in that way: the best clubs, the best players, we have to win trophies. I am always positive and always believe that when you are thinking like that you win things,” said the 31-year-old.

Ronaldo winning his first of three Champions League titles in 2008 with Manchester United

(Image credit: Four Four Two)

With the football season now officially over, betting fans will be eyeing Euro 2016 for more opportunities. The tournament kicks off on June 10, with hosts France 1.30 (3/10) playing the opening game against Romania 13.00 (12/1), per online sportsbook Bet365. Wales 2.62 (13/8) will play Slovakia 2.87 (15/8) the following day, while Turkey 3.75 (11/4) and Croatia 2.10 (11/10) are set for a thrilling encounter on June 12. Republic of Ireland 3.00 (2/1) will face a test against Ibrahimovic’s Sweden 2.50 (6/4), and Belgium 2.62 (13/8) will go head to head with 2006 World Cup champions Italy 2.87 (15/8). June 16 marks a special day for British fans, as England 1.72 (8/11) will play Wales 4.75 (15/4) – a game that is sure to be full of excitement and a bit of drama.

Besides the standard markets, we advise you to check out the “To Win Outright” market with the online sportsbook. France, the host nation, are the favourite to win the European Championship on their home soil 4.00 (3/1), while World Cup winners Germany are right behind them with odds of 4.50 (7/2). Spain and England are underdogs with smaller chances of 6.50 (11/2) and 9.50 (17/2) respectively. Belgium on the other hand are fifth favourites 12.00 (11/1) to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy, while Italy have been assigned unlikely odds as well 17.00 (16/1).

(Check out Betting Herald’s online sportsbook review section for more info about Bet365 Sports Review.)