OLD TRAFFORD icon Eric Cantona has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo “doesn’t realise” that he’s no longer 25-years-old.
Cantona, 56, blasted Ron, 37, for failing to help develop Manchester United’s youngsters.
AFPEric Cantona has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo[/caption]
Ronaldo was sacked by United in NovemberAFP
The Red Devils sacked Ronaldo in November following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
And Cantona reckons Ronaldo is failing to accept that his career is nearing an end.
He told Manchester Evening News: “I think you have two kinds of players at the end of their career. Me, I decided to retire young, that’s another thing.
“And then the one who wants to play and play until the age of 40 years old.
“You have two kind of players: the one who wants to play every game because they still think they’re 25 years old and the ones who realise they are not 25 years old and they are here to help the young players, they know they will not play every game, they know they will play some games.
“But their part is to help the young players. Like (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic still does it with Milan, Ryan Giggs or (Paolo) Maldini when he was in Milan.”
Cantona went on to say Ronaldo should have been more accepting of his role off the bench.
The striker started just four Premier League games before having his contract ripped up after claiming he felt “betrayed” by the club.
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Cantona added: “But I think Ronaldo didn’t realise – and he still doesn’t realise – he’s not 25 years old.
“He’s just older and he should have realised that instead of being not happy to play some games, say, ‘OK, I am not 25 years old, I cannot play every game, but I will help the young players and accept that situation and that’s my situation.’”
Ronaldo himself hit out at all young players on the planet in his explosive interview with Morgan.
But he did name Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro as three players he admires at Old Trafford.
He said: “All leagues in the world, the youngest now, they are not the same as my generation. But we cannot blame them because it’s part of life, you know.
“The new generation and the new technologies that distract them for another thing so… but they are not the same.
“They listen but this is why we have two ears, as you listen from one side and they go away from another side.
“It doesn’t surprise me. But in the same way it’s a shame because if they have the best examples in front of your eyes, and if they don’t at least copy what you did, for me, it’s kind of weird, because I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I always looked to see the best players in Van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Giggs – this is why I have the success that I have and longevity.
“Because I take care of my body, my mentality, my head, because I see these guys and I learn from them.”