Pizarro slams 'big head' Ronaldo | Manchester Utd | English Premier League | Football News from TEAMtalk
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Pizarro slams 'big head' Ronaldo
Roma midfielder David Pizarro has lashed out at Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, labelling the winger a "big head".
Pizarro accused Ronaldo of showing arrogance and a lack of respect towards his opponents in United's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win in the Eternal City on Tuesday night.
Ronaldo, who scored the opener with a stunning header and almost made it 3-0 when he hit the bar, was booed by the home crowd for teasing opposing defenders with his tricks on the pitch.
"Despite the fact that he is a great champion, he is very arrogant," said Pizarro. "He does certain spiteful things on the pitch.
"This is the ugliest thing for a player.
"Some of his little tricks in the middle of the pitch were unnecessary and he needs to show some respect to his opposition. In the return leg, I will have something to say to him."
Portugal star Ronaldo defended his actions after helping his team put one foot in the semi-finals.
"It's nothing against my rivals," said the 23-year-old. "Those plays are just part of my way of interpreting football.
"I have always done them, even three or four years ago when I was younger.
"But there are plays that I do for the good of the team and never to ridicule my opponents.
"I tried to do the best for Manchester United and not to make a show.
"It's just a part of who I am."
Ronaldo believes Roma have improved since last year - when United eliminated the Giallorossi with a humiliating 7-1 defeat at Old Trafford at the same stage of the competition - but insists United have also also grown stronger in the last 12 months.
"I don't think we can talk about a Roma weakness but rather about the strength of Manchester United," he said.
"Last season we didn't know Roma but this time, we have been perfect in defence."
Despite his team having taken a giant step towards the last four, Ronaldo prefers to remain cautious.
"It would be bad to think we have done the job," he warned. "We have next week's game and although a win away from home gives us confidence, we still have to seal qualification."
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while my automatic reaction is to say this is all sour grapes, some of this really comes down to them not being familiar with the players style. If they saw him do it week in and week out, they'd know that he has a certain way of going about doing things that is unique and is more stylistic than a pisstake.
As far as "interpretation" goes, Ronaldo is sounding more like Cantona on a daily basis
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