The Portuguese superstar has come under pressure for his performances this season.
Mesut Ozil has criticized the media for their “constant negativity” toward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled for minutes at Manchester United earlier this season. His problems with Erik ten Hag eventually saw him leave Old Trafford by terminating his contract.
Ronaldo returned to the headlines when he started Portugal’s World Cup clash against Switzerland on the bench last week.
However, Ozil believes his former Real Madrid teammate deserves more respect.
“I really don’t get where this constant negativity from the press about Cristiano comes from… 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,” the former Arsenal star wrote on Twitter.
“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.”
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