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Guti: Doubting Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is like doubting Barcelona's Lionel Messi when he plays for Argentina
The 35-year-old midfielder paid little attention to the criticism surrounding the Portuguese star but stated that his former teammate is one level below the Barcelona maestro
Dec 12, 2011 12:05:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Clasico : Real Madrid - Barcelona : Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has defended Cristiano Ronaldo, following the 26-year-old's lackluster display in the 3-1 loss Barcelona on Saturday.
Guti believes that the criticism leveled at the Madrid attacker is unfounded and has backed his former teammate to bounce back from his poor performance in the Clasico.
"Doubting Cristiano is like when people doubt [Barcelona's Lionel] Messi when he does not play well for Argentina," Guti is quoted by Europa Press as saying.
"Football is just like that. We all know they are the best in the world but if they do not play well two matches in a row, they will get picked on, too."
He added, "Football is a roller coaster and when things go your way, it seems like you are God, and no one will get you out of your place at the top of the mountain, but when you are up there, you know that you can fall at any moment."
The former Besiktas midfielder went on to reiterate his belief that the diminutive Argentine will win the race for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
"It is not that Messi is better, what I believe is that he is one level above, in the way that when Barca need him, he is always there, especially in the important matches," Guti noted.
"For me, this is one of the things that Cristiano is lacking, but I believe he is very important to Madrid and he is showing this."
The former Spain international played down the importance of Saturday's clash and stressed that Madrid are still title contenders on all fronts.
"Of course Madrid have the capacity to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey," Guti noted.
"Both Barcelona and Madrid are the two best clubs in Europe right now."
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Guti believes that the criticism leveled at the Madrid attacker is unfounded and has backed his former teammate to bounce back from his poor performance in the Clasico.
"Doubting Cristiano is like when people doubt [Barcelona's Lionel] Messi when he does not play well for Argentina," Guti is quoted by Europa Press as saying.
"Football is just like that. We all know they are the best in the world but if they do not play well two matches in a row, they will get picked on, too."
He added, "Football is a roller coaster and when things go your way, it seems like you are God, and no one will get you out of your place at the top of the mountain, but when you are up there, you know that you can fall at any moment."
The former Besiktas midfielder went on to reiterate his belief that the diminutive Argentine will win the race for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
"It is not that Messi is better, what I believe is that he is one level above, in the way that when Barca need him, he is always there, especially in the important matches," Guti noted.
"For me, this is one of the things that Cristiano is lacking, but I believe he is very important to Madrid and he is showing this."
The former Spain international played down the importance of Saturday's clash and stressed that Madrid are still title contenders on all fronts.
"Of course Madrid have the capacity to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey," Guti noted.
"Both Barcelona and Madrid are the two best clubs in Europe right now."
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