The latest tremor in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal story arrived not on the pitch, but through an Instagram reaction. The 41-year-old forward liked a post defending him amid mounting tension with national-team coach Jorge Jesus.
The post contained footage from Brazilian television programme SporTV in which former midfielder Felipe Melo strongly backed Ronaldo in the dispute. Ronaldo had left Portugal’s training camp abruptly on Wednesday, raising fresh questions over his international future.
Quick facts
- Ronaldo liked an Instagram post featuring Felipe Melo’s defence of him.
- The Portugal record holder left the national-team camp on Wednesday.
- He has 234 Portugal caps and 146 international goals.
- Ronaldo has said he will explain his departure but has not announced retirement.
Melo, the former Juventus and Galatasaray player, said he was firmly on Ronaldo’s side rather than that of Jesus. He added that he would revise that stance if evidence emerged that Ronaldo had disrespected the coach.
“Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in history and Portugal’s greatest,” Melo said. “Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, I am clearly with Cristiano Ronaldo.”
The Brazilian also questioned the treatment Ronaldo receives within Portugal’s squad, arguing that opponents appear to show the forward more respect than some of his own team-mates. He compared the situation with the regard Argentina’s players show Lionel Messi.
Melo referred to Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund’s confrontation with Jesus after Thursday’s 4-2 Portugal win. Hojlund scored in the match, celebrated by copying Ronaldo’s trademark celebration, and then pushed the Portugal coach away with his hand following the final whistle.
“Nobody there comes close to his level,” Melo said, insisting Portugal could not simply allow “the best player in history” to leave in such circumstances.
Ronaldo’s like gave those remarks an immediate public echo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not yet detailed why he departed the camp, while the nature of his relationship with Jesus remains under scrutiny.
Portugal’s all-time appearance-maker and leading scorer helped the country win Euro 2016, the 2019 Nations League and the 2025 Nations League. For now, there has been no declaration that his 234-cap international career is over.
