Portugal’s camp has been left dealing with a Cristiano Ronaldo dispute that reaches beyond the question of selection. The forward’s departure has split opinion, with some backing his anger after Jorge Jesus’s comments and others arguing that the captain should have remained with the squad even if he was no longer starting.
Quick facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp amid a public disagreement.
- The debate followed remarks made by Jorge Jesus and Ronaldo’s own explanation of the situation.
- Colo-Colo midfielder Arturo Vidal publicly supported Ronaldo during a Twitch broadcast.
- Vidal said Portugal must show greater care and respect towards its record-setting captain.
Vidal, who faced Ronaldo on several occasions during his European career and also spent time at Barcelona, called the manner of the exit unacceptable. He said a player of Ronaldo’s historic standing should not be leaving the national-team environment in such circumstances.
The Chilean believed the handling of the episode reflected badly on the coach. In his view, Ronaldo had already explained what had happened and laid out his position before the subsequent response from the bench.
“It is embarrassing that Cristiano has left the national side this way,” Vidal said. “He belongs among the greatest players in football history, and it looks particularly bad after he spoke about the situation himself.”
For Vidal, Portugal owe Ronaldo more than a place in the wider group. He argued that the forward gave everything to the country and helped lift Portugal into the leading tier of international football.
“A player like him should be looked after and protected,” Vidal said. “He has taken Portugal to another level, so he has earned the right to make his own decision. He is exceptional, and some coaches do not respect certain things.”
