Former England captain Wayne Rooney has observed that Portugal players don’t enjoy playing with Cristiano Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez’s team bowed out of the ongoing FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 loss against Spain in the round of 16 at the Dallas Stadium, Arlington on Monday.

After both teams failed to find the back of the net in the regular 90 minutes. Arsenal’s striker Mikel Merino scored for the European Champions to give his team the lead at the right time.

Meanwhile, this was Ronaldo’s last World Cup match as the talisman had confirmed the same in the pre-match press conference. Ronaldo scored three goals in five matches of the tournament and overall netted 11 goals in 27 World Cup matches. However, Rooney reckons his former Manchester United teammate doesn’t get the support from his Portuguese teammates.

“You always put Ronaldo and Messi together because they are two of the best players the game has ever seen,” Rooney said on BBC.

“But the Argentinian lads seem like they’re all there for Messi. They’re all behind him. Messi has obviously been fantastic at this World Cup. I don’t get that vibe from the Portuguese players.”

Portugal had entered the tournament as one of the favorites to go all the way, courtesy their potent midfield. Nuno Mendes, João Neves and Vitinha were instrumental in taking PSG to Champions League glory whereas Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the year. However, their performances in the quadrennial tournament was not up to the mark.

“I’m sad to leave the World Cup this way,” Ronaldo said post-match. “As I said yesterday, I gave it my all, and I leave with a clear conscience. That’s the life of a footballer. You have to move forward.

“It was my last World Cup, yes. But as for the rest, there’s time to think, to be with my family, and not say things in the heat of the moment.