Barcelona defender Dani Alves has claimed that criticism aimed at Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is expected due to the Portuguese's standing in the game.
Ronaldo's form has been called into question in recent weeks, while he also struggled to make an impact in Saturday's El Clasico, which Barcelona won 4-0 at the Bernabeu.
Alves has said that "top quality player" Ronaldo should be able to accept blame for certain incidents, with the spotlight always going to be cast on him.
"He's still Cristiano - a top quality player. Perhaps that's the problem," Alves told reporters.
"How can I say this? He's such a character, he likes to be the protagonist. If you want to be like that, when you win they speak about you and put you in the limelight but, if you lose, you must take the flak.
"If the team doesn't get things right or win it's going to be your fault. But we have enough to worry about ourselves without Cristiano. To be honest, I don't care what Cristiano does."
It has been reported that Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid in the summer if Rafael Benitez is kept on as head coach.
Matt Law
