Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly frustrated after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup 2010 finals following a 1-0 defeat to Spain that he spat at the lens of a TV cameraman that was also clearly at the rest of the world audience watching him.

The cameraman was simply following the Portugal star’s walk off the pitch at the end of the second round tie and was first waved away by Ronaldo. However, before he could react, Ronaldo chose to turn back in his direction, looked into the camera lens and spat at him under the full glare of the public spotlight. Viewers who had tuned into the game and stayed on surveying the contrasting scenes would have gone away with virtual saliva on their faces.

While it would hardly matter much to his devoted following, the petulant act is sure to lead to FIFA sanction as well as reinforcing the widespread belief that the Real Madrid star has little regard for the people around him as well as his fans.

Ronaldo’s own performance in the tournament also puts him close to those of the biggest flop of the 2010 World Cup finals so far – Wayne Rooney. Incidentally, both players turned out for Manchester United previously in a prolific partnership that struck fear into clubs in the Premier League and Europe.

Ronaldo only managed one goal in South Africa against North Korea – the ball bounced luckily off his back while the striker was oblivious to its whereabouts, before falling kindly for him to stroke it into an empty net – and was largely ineffective against European champions Spain.

The former United star also pointed the finger of blame clearly at coach Carlos Queiroz after the game when asked by reporters what had gone wrong.

Tags: Carlos Queiroz, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo spit, Portugal, World Cup, World Cup 2010