They live in another era, everything is so easy for them’
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken aim at a brutal dig at young players, especially those at Manchester United by comparing them to 12-year-olds.
It comes from his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which Ronaldo hit out at Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, former teammates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville and the club-owning Glazer family.
The 37-year-old striker, who was also targeting Ralf Ragnick, was fined £1million over the interview.
Ronaldo, who was desperate to leave United this summer, is now linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich in January, while Ronaldo’s former club Sporting Lisbon are still keen to sign him despite the interview.
Asked by Morgan about some of his young teammates at United, Ronaldo said: “I don’t think that word [respect] is the best, they live in another era.
“I can see that with my child, who is 12, the mentality is not the same. »
Asked about the difference between young United players and players his own age, Ronaldo added: “Hunger. They have things easier.
‘Everything is easy. They don’t suffer, they don’t care. I’m not just talking about Man United, but all teams. They are not the same as my generation.
“But we can’t blame them. It’s part of the life of the new generation, the new technologies that distract them from other things.
‘They are not the same. They listen, but they hear a side [and it goes out the other ear]. It doesn’t surprise me, but it’s a shame.
“If they have the best examples in front of them, if they’re not at least copying what you’ve done, that’s kind of weird.”
“I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I was always looking to see the best players – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs – that’s why I had the success that I I had and longevity, because I take care of my body, my mentality, my head, it’s because I saw these guys and I learned from them.
‘I think the best advice…I’m not the kind of guy who likes to give advice, I like to lead by example.
“I’m there every morning, doing the same things, I’m probably the first in and the last out.
“They listen to one thing, and in two minutes they have already forgotten. I like to lead by example. Some follow me, not many…
‘They do not care. Some yes, but most no. To me, that’s not surprising. They will not have longevity in their career.
‘It’s impossible. My generation sees players at 36, 37, 38 playing at a high level. I don’t think much in this [new] generation will reach this level.
Watch the video below…
Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan that young football players have the wrong attitude and ‘don’t care’.
“Everything is easy, they don’t suffer.”
Watch live: https://t.co/MmPz7ALHHl@cristiano | @piersmorgan | #90MinutesWithRonaldo | #PMU pic.twitter.com/Wqps5EnRmT
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 16, 2022
