'Are these players supposed to be perfect?' Roy Keane leaps to Cristiano Ronaldo's defence as he clashes with Gary Neville AGAIN over claims the former Man United star is 'not accepting the fact he's part of a team' for Portugal at the World Cup

• e-mail

Roy Keane and Gary Neville found themselves at odds over Cristiano Ronaldo once again when discussing the controversy surrounding Portugal's captain at the World Cup.

Ronaldo has dominated headlines since being dropped for Portugal's last-16 tie against Switzerland on Tuesday, with reports this week claiming he threatened to quit their campaign in Qatar after discovering Fernando Santos' team selection.

The 37-year-old - who left Manchester United by mutual consent last month following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan - drew public criticism from his manager after reacting angrily to being substituted in their previous match, although Santos insists he was merely demoted for sporting reasons.

Roy Keane and Gary Neville (left and right) clashed over Cristiano Ronaldo once again in Qatar

Ronaldo has dominated headlines since being dropped for Portugal's World Cup last-16 tie

And after Portugal's thumping 6-1 victory on the night, certain images appeared to show him walking off the pitch by himself.

Neville was highly critical of Ronaldo during the final months of his second United spell, while also urging the club to sack him after his interview with Morgan, and the ITV pundit has been left unimpressed by his antics at the World Cup.  

'He's the greatest player I’ve ever seen and I love him to bits, irrespective of what he may think. I think he's is unbelievable and his legacy long-term is set,' the former United right-back said during a World Cup chat with Keane and Micah Richards for SkyBet.

'But the only problem I have is that his single-mindedness has got him to where he is, his determination and single-mindedness is his greatest strength, but it's a little bit scruffy.

Ronaldo is said to have threatened to leave Portugal's World Cup campaign after the snub

Reports claim he had a 'tense, heated conversation' with head coach Fernando Santos

Neville believes his former Man United colleague is 'not accepting the fact he's part of a team'

'If he came out and did interviews and was angry I could see where he's coming from, but he doesn't do interviews for his club, he doesn't speak much for his country.

'But his managers – first Erik ten Hag and now Santos – have come out and said they're not happy with him because of his behaviour and the fact that he's coming off the pitch and throwing his arms up. 

'That's the only bit I have a problem with, the throwing the arms in the air, the influence that may have on other players and not accepting the fact he's part of a team.'

Neville then expressed his surprise with Santos' public dressing down of Ronaldo, to which Keane replied: 'What did he say? What were his exact words?'

'He said he wasn't happy with him,' Neville said.  

After shrugging his shoulders, Keane then argued: 'Are these players supposed to be perfect? Are you telling me he wasn't doing it 10 years ago? Yeah he was, when he was frustrated in games he'd be putting his arms up, but the following week he'd score a hat-trick and he was 27 so people would forgive him.

But Keane can't fathom why Ronaldo's attitude is suddenly being questioned late in his career

'Now people are saying, "oh he's 37, it's gonna end [badly]"... it ends badly for most players!'

Neville responded: 'The biggest problem for Ronaldo is that both of his managers at Portugal and United thought they were better without him in the team, that's the biggest problem for him in some ways. He’s finding that difficult to come to terms with. 

'Because really, Portugal’s best performance of the tournament was yesterday [6-1 win over Switzerland] against a team I thought would do well against them - we all did actually. I thought Switzerland would do really well against Portugal, and they've absolutely battered them. 

'They looked mobile, Joao Felix came alive, Bruno [Fernandes] came alive, and we've seen that with United. They are better when he's not in the team.'

Neville then insisted Portugal look a far better team without the ex-United forward playing

Ronaldo left United by mutual consent last month following his tell-all Piers Morgan interview

Keane then groaned: 'You love that one Gary: "They're better without him!" They had a good result last night.

'I hate that rubbish. I hate that rubbish. Juventus have not done anything since he left a couple of years ago. Nothing. They've been a disgrace.

'Last night the manager made a decision, he's thinking I need a bit more mobility upfront, and the guy scores a hat-trick and that's down to Ronaldo'.

As they brought an end to their latest debate, Neville asked Keane if he expected Ronaldo not to start a knockout match for Portugal at the World Cup.  

'Yeah I thought there could be a chance,' the Irishman said. 'He's 37 Gary.'