Ronaldo's lack of respect in Portugal baffles Euro 2016-winning coach Santos

Euro 2016-winning coach Fernando Santos cannot understand why Cristiano Ronaldo is not universally loved in Portugal.

The Real Madrid superstar is widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of all time, having helped to take the art of goalscoring and trophy collecting to a new level alongside Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.

He has, however, faced criticism throughout his career for club and country, with this season proving to be no different.

'Ronaldo knows he splits opinion'

Santos, though, believes that the 32-year-old should he heralded as the superstar he undoubtedly is, particularly in his homeland.

"I don't understand why some Portuguese people value Cristiano Ronaldo so little," he told reporters.

"In the group stages [at Euro 2016] there were complaints he wasn't scoring enough.

Getty

"Then when he started scoring, they complained when he did so any other way."

Santos has also sought to play down the focus placed on Ronaldo’s transformation from a goal-getting support forward to an out-and-out striker.

He says too much attention is given to the transformation he has made in his career, insisting the only man to have netted 100 times in the Champions League boasting the same qualities in his game that he has always had.

Ronaldo: I am from this planet!

"Cristiano Ronaldo has always scored goals," added Santos.

"Ever since I've known him when he was 18 he's been doing so."

Ronaldo has found the target 35 times in 41 appearances for Madrid this season, with those efforts helping to keep Zinedine Zidane’s side on course for a Liga and Champions League double.