Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo: Those who like football like watching me play

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes football fans around the globe love watching him in action as he responds to recent criticism.

Ronaldo was jeered and hissed in September's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Cyprus in which a number of fans shouted the name 'Messi,' referring to Lionel Messi, the Barcelona striker.

"These things [the Cyprus jeers] are abnormal things. And, I don't care about them," Ronaldo is quoted as saying by AS.com.

The former Manchester United man shrugged shoulders at the whole affair and insisted he was not affected by it. In fact, he feels everyone loves his game - his message coming just days after former Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said Ronaldo is less selfish now.

"I think that all those who like football are happy when Cristiano Ronaldo is playing," he boasted.

It is an issue which had gone quiet in recent weeks, but following Portugal's 5-3 Group H win over Iceland on Friday, Ronaldo has returned to talk about what happened against Cyprus.

Ronaldo could be in action when Portugal play Denmark on Tuesday. His side need just a point from their final group game to secure a place at Euro 2012.