Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says he was quoted out of context and is the victim of "media sensationalism" after getting into trouble over recent remarks about his fellow team mates.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says he was quoted out of context and is the victim of "media sensationalism" after getting into trouble over recent remarks about his fellow team mates.
After Real Madrid’s 1-0 derby loss to Atlético Madrid on Saturday (in the La Liga – Spanish top division league), posts and news stories abounded quoting Real Madrid's star player as saying, “If everyone was at my level, perhaps we would be first [in the Spanish top flight]. The statistics are there".
However, Ronaldo insisted that these remarks were taken out of context.
Speaking to Spanish network Marca, the player clarified his comments, saying was speaking about the levels of fitness amongst his team mates rather than their performances on the field. He said, “I meant the physical level, not in the game. I am not better than any of my teammates".
Madrid had been missing regular starters – such as Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Pepe – for Saturday’s game, while Karim Benzema had to be substituted at half-time due to injury.
Which, as Ronaldo said, contributed to the loss.
“If a team does not play with its best players, it is difficult to win, but I do not want to belittle anyone. I do like playing with Karim, Bale and Marcelo, but I am not saying that the others are not good.
Danilo, for example, was the best player on the field [on Saturday].”
Despite Barcelona now having a comfortable 9-point lead over Real Madrid, Ronaldo maintained that his team would fight for the title until the end.
