Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has stepped up to defend Cristiano Ronaldo after a publication branded the Portuguese forward a 'narcissist'.
Ronaldo, now 41, left the Portugal national team camp after head coach Jorge Jesus opted not to field him in the match against Norway on 27 September. The attacker later released a statement accusing the manager of breaking prior commitments.
The situation escalated when The Mirror published an article by journalist Harry Brent, which strongly criticised Ronaldo. The headline referred to the forward as a 'narcissist' and lambasted his lengthy 2000-word statement regarding his position with the national team.
Ferdinand, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, swiftly reacted to the article on platform X.
'Narcissist? That's a ridiculous term for someone who has given so much to football and his country.'
He further took aim at the article's author:
'Harry Brent, you need to get a grip!'
