Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has defended Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude. Keane stated that the Portuguese star has always had this kind of attitude. Ronaldo’s behavior has come under the scanner in recent times after his controversial exit from the Red Devils.

Furthermore, the talisman was benched in the big Round of 16 match against Switzerland by Portugal’s boss Fernando Santos. Ronaldo had shown his frustration when he was substituted in the team’s last group-stage match against South Korea and it didn’t go down well with Santos.

As a result, Ronaldo found himself replaced by Goncalo Ramos, who scored a fine hat-trick against the Swiss team.

Roy Keane said as quoted by the Mirror, “Are footballers supposed to be perfect? Cristiano Ronaldo had this attitude 10 years ago, but the following game he would score a hat trick, and he was 27 – everyone would forgive him.

“People say that he makes teams worse – Juventus haven’t done anything since he left them a couple of years ago.”

Keane feels it was a wise call from Santos to bring in Ramos in the big game against Switzerland as the forward offered more mobility up front.

“Against Switzerland, the Portugal manager made a correct decision to replace Ronaldo with someone who offered more mobility up front. He [Ramos] scores a hat trick, and everyone looks straight to Ronaldo.

“I always thought there could be a chance that Ronaldo wouldn’t start a World Cup knockout game for Portugal – he’s 37!”

Ronaldo has all the experience under his belt but it never has been easy to manage him. The linchpin isn’t in the best of forms in the recent past and it will be interesting to note if he gets his chances in the upcoming matches.

Portugal will take on Morocco in the quarterfinal clash at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.