Retired German star Mesut Ozil defended his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and criticized what he called "continued negativity" about the Portuguese star by the press, following rumors surrounding him after he was benched in the recent Switzerland match.

Ozil said via his Twitter account, "I do not understand where these continuous negative reports from the press about Cristiano come from.

I really don't get where this constant negativity from the press about Cristiano comes from … The Media is just trying to get clicks, and pundits who don't have a career anymore just want to get attention with his big name and try to make him look bad…

- Mesut Özil (@ M10) December 9, 2022

The player, who played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, added, “Cristiano will soon be 38, so what is surprising that he no longer scores 50 goals per season? All fans should be happy to see him play football at the highest level for 20 years?! ".

Ozil concluded, "I do not think that any player from the new generation will be able to achieve his numbers again, and he will remain forever in a special place. Everyone should respect one of the greatest athletes in history."

Um grupo demasiado unido para ser quebrado por forças externas.

Uma nação demasiado corajosa para se deixar atemorizar perante qualquer adversário.

Uma equipa no verdadeiro sentido da palavra, que vai lutar pelo sonho até ao fim!

Creditem connosco!

Força, Portugal!🇵🇹🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gUeENXSB5F

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2022

Cristiano denied, via his Twitter account, yesterday, Thursday, reports that he threatened to leave the national team, after sitting on the bench during the World Cup final match against Switzerland.

The Portuguese national team is preparing to face its Moroccan counterpart, tomorrow, Saturday, in the framework of the quarter-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.