Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Cristiano Ronaldo to control his temper as the countdown to the World Cup continues.
The Manchester United winger was fortunate to escape with a booking in the 3-0
friendly win over Luxembourg after retaliating to a tackle at Metz's Stade St
Symphorien.
Scolari was typically blunt in his assessment of the 21-year-old's display.
Scolari, who led his homeland Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, told www.record.pt: 'Cristiano Ronaldo worries me, because the majority of our
opponents provoke Cristiano and he does not know how to deal with it.
'He must keep it in his head not to react in this way. Our opponents know
that if they get at Cristiano he will react this way.
'I want him to bear this in mind. He is part of a squad. We are trying to
show him the difficulties he will have in the next few days. Of course I am
worried about him.
'We're trying to make him understand referees do not always penalise fouls.
Cristiano has a good character and listens to his team-mates. I think he will
change.'
It is not the first time that 'Big Phil' has told the United man to get his
act together.
In the build-up to Euro 2004, Scolari substituted him in a warm-up match and
said he did not want players who were 'doi-doi' - a phrase which has no exact
translation but seemed to be referring to the player's tendency to produce
stepovers and tricks for show at inappropriate moments.
Ronaldo responded with some fine performances in Euro 2004 and has ever since
been an automatic first choice.
Ronaldo admitted he had been wrong to react at Metz, telling journalists: 'I
can show you the state of my foot. It's not easy.
'But it does not justify my reaction and I hope I don't do it again because
it could cost us at the World Cup.
'I must bear that in mind and once again I say sorry and I hope it won't
happen at the World Cup.'
