- Title: Figo praises Ronaldo, says Portugal will improve
- Date: 8th November 2016
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (NOVEMBER 8, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF FORMER PORTUGAL AND REAL MADRID STAR LUIS FIGO SUPERVISING YOUNGSTERS PLAYING SOCCER (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER PORTUGAL AND REAL MADRID STAR LUIS FIGO SAYING OF REAL MADRID'S PORTUGUESE STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO EXTENDING CONTRACT WITH THE CLUB: "Well right now I think so because if he's signed a new contract it's because he is happy, the club is happy and that is like a personal decision too, so if he has just renovated it is because he is happy with the club" (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIGO SAYING OF CRITICISM OF RONALDO: "Well I think football is like that. You have to be prepared for the good words and the criticism. So I think sometimes it appears that you're not so efficient and they criticise you, but what Cristiano is doing since he arrives in Madrid is amazing, so I don't see the point" FIGO SUPERVISING YOUNGSTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIGO SAYING OF PORTUGAL'S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: "Well we hope that - we didn't start well, but this is long and of course it will be difficult, but we have the hope that we can make it and be again in the big competition" FIGO SIGNING PICTURE OF HIMSELF
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2016 17:30
- Keywords: Soccer Figo Portugal World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo contract Real Madrid
- Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00157L69TR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Luis Figo said on Tuesday (November 8) that Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously happy at Real Madrid and what he has done at the club is amazing.
The Portuguese former Real Madrid star also said Portugal will get better in world cup qualifying.
Speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon where he was promoting his platform Dream Football, which can connect budding professional footballers with clubs, Figo said Ronaldo was obviously happy in Spain having just extended his deal.
"...if he's signed a new contract it's because he is happy, the club is happy and that is like a personal decision too, so if he has just renovated it is because he is happy with the club," said Figo.
Ronaldo has failed to score in five successive games at the Bernabeu stadium, but he has mustered seven goals in 12 appearances this season and Figo said criticism is part of soccer.
"Well I think football is like that. You have to be prepared for the good words and the criticism. So I think sometimes it appears that you're not so efficient and they criticise you, but what Cristiano is doing since he arrives in Madrid is amazing, so I don't see the point," said the Portuguese star.
Portugal are second in Group B of world cup qualifying with six points from three games, having lost to 2-0 to leaders Switzerland; they next host Latvia on Sunday.
Figo said it had not been a great start, but they would improve.
"Well we hope that - we didn't start well, but this is long and of course it will be difficult, but we have the hope that we can make it and be again in the big competition," he said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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