In the aftermath of Portugal’s September international window, Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national-team camp has drawn criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while the side itself answered on the pitch with a 4-2 Nations League win over Denmark in Copenhagen.
Key takeaways
- Ronaldo left Portugal’s squad late in September after being unhappy about not starting the team’s scheduled matches.
- Ibrahimovic said he still admires Ronaldo’s competitive mentality and extraordinary career.
- The former Sweden striker believes Ronaldo risks damaging the legacy he has built if ego dictates his final years.
- Vitinha praised coach Jorge Jesus after Portugal’s four-goal victory in Denmark.
- The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder described the Copenhagen display as Portugal’s strongest since Jesus took charge.
Ibrahimovic’s warning over Ronaldo’s Portugal exit
Ronaldo’s sudden exit from the Portugal camp has become the central talking point around the national side. The veteran forward left after objecting to his non-starting role during the latest fixtures, a decision that led Ibrahimovic to reflect on how football’s great careers come to an end.
Now working as a television pundit, Ibrahimovic began by stressing his respect for the Portugal captain’s achievements. He praised Ronaldo’s drive to win every competition available to him and said the player’s eventual departure from the game will be felt by supporters around the world.
But the Swede argued that Ronaldo should not allow personal frustration to overshadow a career of such scale. “He does not have to spoil the legacy he created because of his ego,” Ibrahimovic said, adding that elite players should leave the stage at their highest level.
Ibrahimovic was particularly critical of the manner of Ronaldo’s departure. He questioned leaving the Portugal camp without speaking to team-mates, describing that conduct as disrespectful and saying the 41-year-old must recognise he is no longer at the beginning of his career.
Drawing on his own retirement, Ibrahimovic said that he too had once been young and fiercely competitive, but ultimately knew when his time had come. “Even lions know when the hunt is over,” he said.
Vitinha sees progress under Jorge Jesus
Portugal’s response came in Copenhagen, where they beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League. Vitinha focused on the collective performance rather than the controversy surrounding Ronaldo, crediting Jorge Jesus for a display that suggested the coach’s ideas are taking hold.
The PSG midfielder said Portugal’s attacking patterns have improved as the squad has become more accustomed to Jesus’s instructions. In his view, the team made a clear step forward going forward against Denmark while retaining the defensive stability shown in previous matches.
Vitinha regarded the victory as Portugal’s best performance since the arrival of Jorge Jesus. After a day dominated by Ronaldo’s withdrawal, he said the players had sought to keep their attention on the match itself—and delivered a convincing result in the Danish capital.
