Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz has hit back at his star Cristiano Ronaldo’s public criticism of his tactics and management after Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Spain in their second round World Cup 2010 finals tie, warning the Real Madrid striker that nobody is bigger than the national team and that he must respect the coach and team mates.

Ronaldo had told reporters that Queiroz was to be blamed for Portugal’s exit after the game but tried to make up for the incident later by claiming that his words were misconstrued. However, Queiroz was clearly incensed by the player’s petulance and shot him down by claiming that Ronaldo was welcomed to walk away if he felt that he was bigger than the team.

“While I am in charge of the national team, if the size of the shirt is too small for anybody, then do not need to be here,” Queiroz said to a press conference.

“In games of this intensity it is understandable that some frustrations are evident. At present, it may be that the frustrations are not sufficiently educated to be well contained.

“I don’t want to win an easy friendship with him, I just want his respect. I want to make players better players and better people. If I need a lifetime to make them understand that the frustration must be contained I’m going to do it.

“Nobody is above the selection and never will be while I’m here.”

Ronaldo was also caught in the centre of a storm on Tuesday after spitting into a camera in the aftermath of the game that the whole world was transfixed on. The former Manchester United star has since sought to play down the incident by claiming that he was devastated by Portugal’s elimination and that he had the right to show his frustrations and be upset about it.

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