'Look me in the eye' - Irritated Cristiano Ronaldo blasts reporter for 'lack of respect' and hits out at 'negativity' around Portugal team

The former European champions are on the verge of exiting the Nations League at the quarter-final stage after they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the first leg of their tie. Manchester United star Rasmas Hojlund netted a late winning goal as the Danes stunned the Selecao. Ronaldo was left frustrated with his team's defeat and subsequently claimed that too much negativity was being spread about the Portugal side.

Speaking to reporters, the 40-year-old said: "I think the team is playing well except for one or another game, which is part of football. I believe the team has maintained an excellent level, in my opinion. One thing is for you to have your point of view; I have mine.

"The demand you place on me, the best generations are always the ones that win. “In my point of view, there are golden generations, there are silver generations, there are bronze generations. It’s whatever you want."

The Al-Nassr star then slammed a reporter for being disrespectful as he added: "They are the ones that win, the ones that rally the troops and manage to win more than they lose in battles. I feel there is a certain negativity surrounding the national team. I have seen the press conferences in recent days, I don’t like it. I don’t like it.

"Even some of the questions you ask, I think it’s a lack of respect as well when someone asks a question, I will give you my answer, but don’t ask me a question and then look at the computer, you should be looking at me in the eye. I say it and I’ll continue to say it. I’m sure that I will leave the Alvalade with my head held high and I want my teammates and all the Portuguese people to leave the same way, regardless of the result."

Ronaldo and Co will get an opportunity to overturn the one-goal deficit when they host Denmark in the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Sunday at Jose Alvalade Stadium.