Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels like a "broken man" following Portugal's World Cup exit and has denied attributing the blame for the country's failure to coach Carlos Queiroz.
Portugal were eliminated in the second round by Spain on Tuesday night as a David Villa goal secured a 1-0 victory for their Iberian neighbours. It meant Portugal departed the competition having failed to score in three of their four games in South Africa.
Former FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo was a marginal figure for much of the match and his conduct was also brought in question following the final whistle as he appeared to spit in the direction of a TV cameraman on the pitch.
The national team captain then told reporters to "talk to Carlos Queiroz" when asked to explain Portugal's defeat to Spain, but has since issued a statement through his agent to establish he was not seeking to apportion blame to the coach.
"I feel a broken man, completely disconsolate, frustrated and an unimaginable sadness," Ronaldo said. "When I said 'put the question to the coach', it is just because Carlos Queiroz was holding a press conference.
"I was not in a position to explain what was what. I am a human being, and like any human being I suffer and I have the right to suffer alone. I know that I am the captain, and I have always assumed and will assume my responsibilities."
In response to Ronaldo's remarks, Queiroz hinted he expected better performances from the country's captain who scored only one goal in South Africa.
"We are not unaware of those remarks, but we are not here to be friends with the players," Queiroz said. "One must never allow anyone placing himself above the best interests of the national side.
"Portugal needs Ronaldo, and Ronaldo needs the national side. But if this shirt unnerves some players, they have no grounds to be there."
Jose Mourinho will manage Ronaldo at Real Madrid next season and says he will not seek to place too much pressure on his countryman following his World Cup ordeal.
"I will not allow all the responsibilities of the team to fall on Ronaldo," Mourinho told Marca. "In my teams, when we win, we all win, and when we lose, I lose - so Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holidays."
Source: ESPN
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