Cristiano Ronaldo says he is disappointed to have been accused of feigning sickness to avoid playing for Portugal.
Portuguese ace surprised at claims of sickness feign
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his disappointment to have been accused of feigning sickness to avoid Portugal's match with Liechtenstein.
The world's most expensive player was withdrawn from the squad by his club Real Madrid after developing flu-like symptoms in the build-up to his country's 3-0 friendly win over the minnows last week.
The withdrawal prompted question marks over Ronaldo's commitment to his national side after accusations that he withdrew to avoid making the long trip back from his club's exhibition tour of the United States.
However, Ronaldo has rejected such claims while reminding the doubters of the commitment he has already shown for Portugal in his career.
"Given all I have always done, do and will do for the national squad, I feel sad because of the doubts raised," Ronaldo told SIC television after Madrid's 5-0 drubbing of Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
"People know me quite well so I can't understand why they make these criticisms," added the 24-year-old.
Ronaldo joined the Spanish giants earlier this summer in a world record £80million transfer from Manchester United and is expected to be named in the Portugal squad which will face Denmark next month.
