 Donetsk: Portugal attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he is not troubled by the constant pressure to perform for the Seleccao, and pointed out that even Ballon d`Or holder Lionel Messi has his critics.
The Real Madrid man was the subject of scathing attacks after his underwhelming performances against Germany and Denmark in Group B of Euro 2012, but responded well with superb showings against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
"Even Messi has his critics. You can`t please everyone. But I don`t get angry or frustrated by it," Ronaldo told reporters.
"The bigger star you become, the greater pressure there is on you to perform at a level acceptable to get people off your back.
"I accept it as a part of being a professional footballer. It takes a bigger man to ignore it and just get on with playing.”
"I don`t have an agenda where I set out to appease critics. I just go out and play to the best of my ability."
Ronaldo then took time to praise the unity within Paulo Bento`s squad, and said that the Seleccao`s team spirit is the key to their success.
"We`re improving and that`s important. There is great unity in our squad, we`ve a good team spirit and that helps," he added.
"It`s been difficult to get this far, but we enter this stage with a great deal of optimism no matter who we face in the semi-final.
"Our objective now is to reach the final. Why not? There`s greater pressure on other sides in this tournament and we`ve been able to progress without excessive expectations.
"No matter what happens now we should all be congratulated."
Alex Kohnert/Goal.com
First Published: Monday, June 25, 2012, 09:39
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