Harry Maguire has insisted that even the best players in the world face criticism after a difficult spell in the defender’s career.
Maguire has been subject of intense criticism over the past two seasons, a period which has seen the centre-back lose his place and the club captaincy at Manchester United.
The 30-year-old faced ironic cheers after scoring an own goal during England’s friendly win at Scotland last month, but remains a favourite with manager Gareth Southgate and is in the squad to face Australia and Italy this month despite a lack of football at club level.
Maguire admits his recent lows are part of football and insists even the best players receive criticism during their careers.
“I have had some huge plaudits over the years playing for my country,” Maguire said at a press conference.
“Probably the last year or so hasn’t been like that but the previous five I was getting loads and loads of credit.
“That’s football, that’s the way it works. You don’t just keep playing at the top and not get criticism. That doesn’t happen unless you are the best in the world and that’s probably Messi and Ronaldo, and even they still get criticised as well.
“There has been a lot of talk about me over the last year. For that talk to happen, you have got to have built your way up to be a top performer like I’ve done over the previous five years to that.
“Things haven’t gone to plan over the last year or so but I am sure it will get back on track.
“A career is a long path. Many ups, many downs, it probably has been a little blip and I am trying to be back to where I was.”
