Cristiano Ronaldo blasted for training in Madeira in ‘favouritism’ row as Lazio chief accuses Juve of flouting lockdown

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been criticised AGAIN for pictures showing him training in Madeira.

Lazio’s director of communications has taken a swipe at the Portuguese and accused Italian authorities of favouritism amid coronavirus lockdown.

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The Portugual captain has been back on his home island for a month now, with Juventus having given some of their stars permission to leave Italy as they self-isolate in the global battle against the deadly pandemic.

But Lazio’s Arturo Diaconale thinks there is preferential treatment at play after the snaps emerged of the star training with others.

He told Italian outlet Radiosei: “Lazio’s position has always been to return to playing football in a safe atmosphere.

“If the Prime Minister says that we can return to training after May 3, we will all start organising for that.

“But the impression I have is that there is some favouritism.

“I am referring to the clubs to which their players are allowed to travel abroad, who will now return and do a quarantine period to return to training at the same time as those of Lazio.

“The difference is that we followed the rules and stayed at home, unlike others.

“I’ve seen videos from Portugal showing some marvellous images of Cristiano Ronaldo training out on a football pitch.”

Ronaldo has regularly kept his followers updated with his fitness schedule, posting abs crunches and hill runs alongside girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez to Instagram.

But he has gone one step further this time, being photographed with the ball back at his feet at Madeira Stadium, home of second tier CD Nacional.

The former Manchester United star can be seen shooting at a goalkeeper, with a number of other figures in the vicinity.

Portugual – unlike the UK and Italy – is not in full lockdown.

The images have lead to the superstar being warned that he has “no privileges” as the world fights this pandemic.

But Diaconale does not agree and added: “Others have been able to train in peace abroad without restrictions, while we are not allowed to do the same in Italy.

“I’m not saying it’s wrong, because professional athletes have to keep in shape.

“I’m just saying that they were given the advantage of going outside during quarantine. But I don’t want to create more controversy.

“Lazio deserve more respect. We constantly have things going against us.”