Former Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo's critics and demanded more respect for the veteran forward.
Ronaldo has had a disappointing season for Manchester United, where he fell down the pecking order to parting ways with the club after an explosive interview where he criticised manager Erik ten Hag and the club.
The situation has changed at the World Cup, where Ronaldo found himself on the bench for Portugal's round of 16 clash against Switzerland on Tuesday.
Read: Portugal boss: How I told Ronaldo he was dropped
Ozil says everyone should show the 37-year-old more respect while also taking aim at pundits and the media.
"I really don't get where this constant negativity from the press about Cristiano comes from," the German World Cup winner wrote on Twitter.
"The media is just trying to get clicks, and pundits who don't have a career anymore just want to get attention with his big name and try to make him look bad.
"He is soon 38 years old - so what's the surprise that he doesn't score 50 goals a season anymore? Every football fan out there should be happy to have seen him playing world class football for 20 years.
"I don't think anyone from the new generation will be able to match his numbers again. He will forever be in his own category. Everyone should show more respect to one of the greatest athletes in sports history," he added.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In