Brandan was ruled out for rest of the season after he injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in training a fortnight ago with the skipper and club dedicating their 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets to him last week.

The Argentinian received criticism for alleged simulation in his first season in the A-League with many fans voicing their opinions on social media.

Fornaroli said he wasn’t having any of it, as the Uruguayan maintains a close relationship with Brandan, rooming together on away trips with Spanish being their first language.

“We can’t listen to this, everything that people say, you feel crazy if you start to listen,” Fornaroli said.

“I said the other week I don’t watch TV, I don’t read. I can… but it’s hard for me, if it’s something that’s hard I don’t do it. It’s better I don’t need to listen to this.

“We only come here, try to train hard, smile every day because I think this is very important. Good experience every day and we don’t listen to this.”

El Tuna also used the comparisons of himself to Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha who are both in the race for the Golden Boot.

He added: “Go back to last week, Berisha’s already won the Golden Boot and now I’m being asked about it… so I don’t listen about winning or not winning the award. I just do my job and Fernando of course is the same.”

Fornaroli enjoyed a brace in the 4-0 thumping over Jets and is now only one goal behind Berisha on the leaderboard with 17.

He has a chance to find himself in front of Berisha in City’s away clash to Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night.

Berisha is on national team duty for Kosovo’s clash against Iceland and will miss his team’s clash against Brisbane Roar.

The City skipper explained with rotations and Tim Cahill in his captaincy role, the second Golden Boot was not a personal goal.

“Maybe last week before… it’s Berisha’s and now I’m being asked about the Golden Boot,” Fornaroli joked.

“It’s a little bit crazy, this is football. I’m doing my job and I don’t think much about the Golden Boot, this is true. I’m already there and I continue to do my work and that’s it, I need to help my team.

“Of course if it comes it’s great for me, I’m a striker and of course I want to score a lot of goals. In this moment I think my work is different and I need to help my team and the position.

“For example in my last game, I play No.10. If I want to win the Golden Boot, I need to play No.9 so this is different. Now I think more about my team.”