Micah Richards attacks Ronaldo’s critics. You are a hypocrite for messi’s sake

Former England international Micah Richards has hit out at critics of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo following the Mariners’ exit from the 2026 World Cup, confirming there is an agenda against the Saudi Al-Nasr striker.

Ronaldo’s dream of winning world football’s biggest prize ended in Dallas after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup finals this summer.

Mikel Merino, who came on as a substitute for Dani Olmo in the 85th minute of Monday’s round of 16 clash, scored the decisive winner in stoppage time to secure Spain’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Belgium next Friday, July 10.

The 41-year-old player confirmed in his statements in the interview given to the media after the match that he had already played his last match in the World Championship.

Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with 11 goals, which he scored in 6 tournaments in which he participated. 10 of those goals came in the group stage, while he scored his only goal in the qualifiers against Croatia last week.

The Portuguese forward scored three goals in this year’s competition, but some criticized Ronaldo’s contribution, particularly against Spain, where he touched the ball just 19 times.

Micah Richards has slammed those who doubt Ronaldo as he accused the former England international. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he called out Ronaldo’s critics for hypocrisy.

“I don’t like this slander against Ronaldo, I don’t like it at all. I agree that he is one of the best players to ever play the game, and from the start of the tournament, there seems to be an agenda against him.”

Richards continued: There is a lot of hypocrisy in the way people talk about Ronaldo and Messi“.

“Whether you like Ronaldo or you like Messi, we all know that Messi doesn’t run like he did two or three years ago, but we still admire the genius he brings to the team and his stats, when he walks on the pitch and when the ball comes to him, he’s full of energy and vitality.”

Richards continued. “We all know that Ronaldo has not been running for a long time, but his movements in the penalty area are still amazing and incredible.”