Ronaldo attempts to clarify criticism of teammates: 'I am not better' than them

Despite failing to convert any of his seven shots in El Derbi Madrileno on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo didn't hesitate to point fingers elsewhere after the final whistle.

Following Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to its crosstown rival, Atletico Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo took aim at the media, refusing to accept even an ounce of criticism as he believes that he's playing with footballers who don't possess the same level of quality as he does.

"It annoys me that they say that Cristiano has dropped his level, and that is why Madrid have dropped their level," Ronaldo said, according to ESPN FC. "If they were all at my level we would be first. You always ask me these crappy questions - it seems that here in Spain, I am in the s---. The numbers do not lie, statistics never trick you, it is easy."

Ronaldo later attempted to clarify his comments, telling Marca: "When I say that, I'm referring to the physical level, not the level of play. I'm no better than any of my teammates." His explanation was somewhat logical given he had went on to imply that certain players who took the pitch aren't able to fill the void left by Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, the former of whom is dealing with a calf injury and the latter of whom is battling a hip ailment.

"I don't know if it is bad preparation at the start of the season, but we are having many injuries and that is hurting us," Ronaldo said. "I don't want to knock anyone, no teammate, but when the best are missing ... I like to play with Bale, Benzema ...

"I don't want to say that Jese, Lucas (Vazquez), or (Mateo) Kovacic are not good players, they are very good, but ... to win a competition you need to have your best players. Our best players are injured, unfortunately, it's a fact, the reality. Bale is injured, Pepe. Karim is not at 100 percent. Marcelo is injured. I believe that is the principal problem this year."

Whether or not Ronaldo's criticism is justified or his clarification honest, there was no acknowledgment from the Portuguese superstar of the two headers he spurned during the loss - chances that, more often than not, the Portuguese puts into the back of the net.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

There was also no acknowledgment from Ronaldo of his struggles to score against La Liga's top clubs this season: