‘You should be careful’: Ange’s fiery reporter clash over scathing Ronaldo attack

Ange Postecoglou had a heated run-in with a reporter over Cristiano Ronaldo’s “presence” and Al-Nassr’s preparation for the season after their 4-0 Asian Champions League Elite loss to Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates.

It is the heaviest defeat the reigning Saudi Pro League champions have suffered since Ronaldo joined the Riyadh-based club in 2023 and Postecoglou was not in the mood for a series of questions he deemed to be disrespectful during his post-match press conference.

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Ronaldo had a free kick late in the game that was saved, but the damage was well and truly done with Moroccan forward Houssine Rahimi bagging a double as the home side ran riot.

“The players gave everything they had, and I do not place any responsibility on them ... and the responsibility is my responsibility,” Postecoglou said.

“Al Nassr as a whole was poor.”

Postecoglou’s side sit third on the Saudi Pro League table, only two points behind league leaders Al-Hilal, but the terrible start to their Asian Champions League Elite - a competition the club has been never won - campaign meant they have won just once in their last four outings.

The former Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Celtic boss hit out at the packed scheduling following Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al-Khaleej - the loss to Al-Ain was their fourth match in 11 days.

This time around, he was not having a bar of a reporter, who was speaking via a translator, questioning the club’s pre-season camp in Portugal, saying they should have played more friendlies.

He also argued that “there was no clear identity for the team under Mr. Ange”.

“Please do not talk about preparation,” Postecoglou replied.

“Because Portugal... You talk about Portugal. How many of these players were in Portugal? They were preparing with their national teams.”

Ronaldo was one such player that was a late starter following the World Cup and his wedding.

The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar was in the reporter’s sights as he alleged that “fans are angry” as the team was “playing beautiful football and winning” without Ronaldo.

The reporter then added Ronaldo’s “presence does not benefit the team”.

“Cristiano has already scored three goals. He had limited preparation. This is not about the players. The players are giving everything. They are top players and they have great character,” Postecoglou fired back.

“That is all I will say. But you should not say that about somebody who is still setting an example for everyone, and you should be careful when you say things like that about people who have built a career by making all the sacrifices to keep playing.

“He is someone who built himself and built his name in a certain way. Cristiano Ronaldo has three goals. You can criticise me but not the players.”

The reporter then continued on about Ronaldo, saying “in the last three matches, he has done nothing”.

“Nothing? He has three goals in how many games?” Postecoglou replied.

“You obviously don’t watch the games or see the game how I see it. Thank you.”

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