MADRID: After Real Madrid’s humiliating 3-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspurs, Cristiano Ronaldo was critical of the players that the club has let go, but before complaining he should look at his friend and former-teammate Pepe, who twice turned down deals to stay.
Pepe moved to Beskitas after rejecting the first offer in the summer of 2016 as he wanted a two-year deal which Los Blancos denied him due to his age.
Madrid still wanted Pepe to remain with Zinedine Zidane being the first and the central defender, who is now performing at a good level with the Turkish champions, was offered another deal, which he failed to respond to.
The case with another player, James Rodriguez, who also left in the summer is more straight forward as he never saw eye to eye with Zidane.
Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata hesitated to return a year earlier and his departure did not seem important for Real.
The striker wanted to seek a life away from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu due to the lack of confidence he received during his time at the club.
The last on the list is Mariano, who failed to achieve Zidane’s trust in the previous season.
Knowing all this, it would be more logical for Ronaldo to ask his former teammates about their departures before doubting the club’s youngsters.
