Barcelona midfielder Gavi has stepped forward to defend Cristiano Ronaldo amid the intense criticism the Portugal captain has faced following his performances at the World Cup.

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr striker has been a regular starter for Portugal during their campaign to secure a place in the Last-16 of the tournament. However, widespread sentiment suggests that Roberto Martínez's side would be better served by introducing Ronaldo from the bench and relying on other talents in the starting lineup.

The general level of Ronaldo's performances has come under significant scrutiny, with the legendary forward, when not scoring goals, struggling to make an impact on general play. The media and fans have been ruthless in their condemnation of the former Real Madrid man, while players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and others continue to receive consistent praise.

Speaking to the media ahead of Spain's upcoming showdown with Portugal on Monday, Gavi was drawn on Ronaldo's name and used the opportunity to defend the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"I've never seen criticism towards Cristiano from his teammates, only from the outside," Gavi explained. "His teammates respect him a lot. He's one of the best ever; he can make the difference at any moment."

The young Barcelona midfielder's comments come as a show of support for Ronaldo during one of the more challenging periods of his illustrious international career. Despite the criticism from external sources, Gavi's words highlight the continued respect that football professionals have for the Portuguese legend.

Ronaldo's historical record remains unparalleled, with numerous records across both club and international football. However, questions about his role in the current Portugal setup continue to dominate discussions as the team progresses through the World Cup tournament.