SUPER-FIT Cristiano Ronaldo is not a top pro – despite what footage of him celebrating shirtless would suggest.
That’s the stunning claim made by Manchester United legend Paul Parker, who reckons his old club need to axe the ageing star.
Ronaldo is 36 and still banging in the goals after making a sensational return to Old Trafford last summer.
But Parker says CR7’s arrival back in the famous red shirt has put too much pressure on his team-mates to perform.
Parker told indiabetting: “I wouldn’t say he’s a top pro.
“Straight away they couldn’t help talking about how he’s changed the diet and the players because of this, he’s eating this and he’s eating that.
“So what, everyone’s different, everyone’s metabolisms are different, your mindset is different, how you approach everything, your training to games, all different.
“So I think Ronaldo turning up put everyone under pressure, sold a load of jerseys, PR-wise it was brilliant for the club.
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“I think it affected the mindset of a lot of other players as well. It’s about being a top player, and being a top pro, and Ronaldo is a top player, he’s proved that.”
“But all of a sudden, look what he’s doing, look what he’s got. It’s great what he’s got, fantastic.
“But I’m different, I like to think I’m different, and I’m going to do it, started doing it my way, and so that puts pressure on a lot of players.
“So it hasn’t worked out on the field with him on the pitch.”
United currently sit seventh in the Premier League – a position Ronaldo has blasted as just not good enough for his side.
The Portuguese superstar last night gave a bombshell interview in which he demanded a top-three finish and called on younger team-mates to up their game.
He clearly believes a lot of the players can’t handle being told by him what they are doing wrong.
Ronaldo said: “The mature players, the older players, they can always help the young players.
“But I can give an example. If I give you advice, even if you are younger than me, if you don’t implant that during your daily life, it will be difficult.
“I can speak all day with that person, but if it’s not coming from inside of you, it’s impossible.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk