Gary Neville branded Laura Woods “cheeky” after she asked him about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2022 World Cup broadcast.

Woods was presenting ITV’s coverage of the Group G clash between Brazil and Switzerland, which preceded Portugal’s Group H encounter against Uruguay.

She was joined by Neville, Ian Wright and Karen Carney as pundits, with the quartet looking ahead to the next match after Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0.

Woods could not resist asking Neville about his former Manchester United teammate Ronaldo, referencing the recent public spat between the pair.

What did Laura Woods say to Gary Neville about Cristiano Ronaldo?

Woods said: "It’s the first time I’ve spoken to you since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, has he answered your phone calls?"

Neville immediately started laughing, shaking his head as he responded: "You’re cheeky you, aren’t you? My phone’s not rung, let alone from Cristiano!".

The 47-year-old went on to praise Ronaldo, who scored in Portugal’s opening World Cup match against Ghana.

Video: Watch Gary Neville respond to Cristiano Ronaldo jibe from Laura Woods

"He’s unbelievable,” Neville said. “He’s responded to criticism, he doesn’t like what’s happened in Manchester. He’s in his homeland, Portugal adore him, the relationship with his manager is strong.

Neville also admitted that Ronaldo’s recent departure from Manchester United was the correct decision.

“They’re [Portugal] a good team with a man up front with a monster mentality. He’ll think he’s lifting that World Cup and he’ll believe that and that will transmit to the rest of the team.

“He’s done that in the Champions League with Real Madrid, with Barcelona dominating, he won five Champions Leagues there.

“He delivers in the big moment. Nothing will surprise me, but I think it’s right he left United and right United let him go.”

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2022 World Cup

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 28: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Uruguay at Lusail Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville have a public spat?

Neville was drawn into a spat with Ronaldo after the latter gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan, which led to the termination of his contract with Manchester United by mutual consent.

During the interview, Ronaldo claimed that Neville took advantage of him for fame, and was adamant that the pair were not friends.

“To listen as ex-colleagues or team-mates criticise you, when they only see one point of view,” he told TalkTV. It’s easy. It’s easy to criticise, I don’t know if you have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous.

“I really don’t understand it. It’s hard when you see people who was in the dressing room with you criticising that way.”

Ronaldo had already sparked rumours about a fall-out with Neville after he ignored the pundit while running out at Old Trafford to warm-up for Manchester United’s match against West Ham.

The 37-year-old has been able to put the drama with his former club behind him while playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, captaining Portugal to two victories and a place in the round of 16.

Read More: World Cup 2022: Dates, Results, UK Kick Off Times, Stadiums, Groups, Tickets, Odds and Much More

2022 World Cup on GiveMeSport

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