Harry Maguire Pin Points Key Similarity Between Himself and Sacked Cristiano Ronaldo

• Harry Maguire passionately sided with his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent press conference
• Ronaldo was sacked by Manchester United, who terminated the star’s contract on Tuesday
• Maguire hailed Ronaldo as one of the best ever, adding that the big players were always subject to criticism

England and Manchester United ace Harry Maguire has come out to defend Cristiano Ronaldo following the 37-year-old’s Old Trafford exit.

Ronaldo has made headlines over the past couple of weeks for his explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he openly criticized United and a number of stakeholders at the club.

In his parting shot to United, Ronaldo said he will always love the club and its fans but needed to ‘seek other challenges.

Maguire talked about criticism in a press conference as England prepare to take on the United States in their second World Cup group game and his sentiments were quite interesting.

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The towering centre back, who has had a subtle tussle with Cristiano over the captain’s armband at United, defended the Portuguese superstar and hailed him as one of the greatest.

'As a footballer nobody likes being criticised but I think it's part and parcel of the game.’ Maguire said as quoted on Daily Mail.

'I've played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years and he's one of the greatest players to ever kick a football.

'He gets criticised daily, so if it's going to happen to him and the position I'm in playing for Manchester United, it's going to happen to each and every one of us.

Ronaldo for Portugal

Ronaldo, despite being club less at the moment, continues to thrive for his country.

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He proved that he still has it. He was on the scoresheet in Portugal’s emphatic 3-2 victory over Ghana on Thursday, November 24.

The win put Portugal top of Group H, largely considered the group of death, ahead of Uruguay and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Maguire’s England is also top of their group after an emphatic opening day 6-2 win over Iran.

The Three Lions come up against USA on Friday in a game highly anticipated by a large contingent of fans.

Iran players booed by own supporters

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Iran players getting booed as they sang the national anthem before their World Cup fixture with Wales.

Prior to their World Cup group opener against England on Monday, the Iranian team stood in silence as their anthem was played in protest against the country’s government.

The Iranian squad sang along ahead of kick-off against Wales with a large number of fans in attendance heard booing and whistling to protest events taking place back at home.