Next summer´s World Cup in Brazil will be a better tournament if Real Madrid and Portugal player Cristiano Ronaldo is taking part, according to Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.
Ronaldo’s national side go up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in a double-header for a place at the tournament, meaning one of the star names in football will not be in Brazil.
And speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, former Barcelona player and boss Cruyff said that although it is a shame one of the players will miss out, he would prefer to see Ronaldo there.
“It is a huge blow for the World Cup that one of these two players won’t make it. It’s a sad situation,” Cruyff stated.
He added: “I don’t really have a preference between the two of them, but if I had to make a choice I would rather see Ronaldo qualify. That’s a bit of a political decision, though, as I live in Spain.
“They’re different types of players. I have criticised both of them in the past because I think they should behave like role models. Kids adore them.
“But it’s a shame for the footballing world that one of them won’t be there if you look at how they play and at the goals Ibrahimovic has scored in recent weeks.”
