Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Exit Was Inevitable

If this marks Cristiano Ronaldo’s final chapter with Portugal, he has departed much as he occupied the spotlight: with an extraordinary sense of his own importance. His vanity and self-centered approach were easier to accept when he ranked among the world’s finest players. Over the past four years, however, his continued presence has visibly restricted Portugal. A gifted generation of technically accomplished footballers has been forced to carry the enormous burden of his ego.

The events of the past two weeks are straightforward. Ronaldo played 67 minutes as Portugal labored to a 1-0 victory over Wales. Jorge Jesus, who succeeded Roberto Martínez after the World Cup, said he and Ronaldo had verbally agreed that the forward would not start the next match against Norway, though he might be introduced from the bench. Ronaldo began warming up early in the second half, but it remains uncertain whether he did so voluntarily or at Jesus’s instruction. With the contest finely balanced before Portugal secured a 2-1 win, the coach decided not to use him.

Ronaldo and his many defenders regarded that decision as an intolerable insult. Jesus, by contrast, believed winning the match mattered more than protecting the sensitivities of a 41-year-old striker. Ronaldo subsequently left the squad and may also have brought his international career to an end. His departure came only three days later, apparently after Jesus declined to apologize for his decision. It is a regrettable conclusion, although perhaps for reasons different from those Ronaldo imagines.

Jesus, who previously managed Ronaldo at Al Nassr, might conceivably have dealt with the matter more tactfully. Diplomacy, however, has never been his defining quality. After Martínez’s cautious treatment of the situation, a firmer approach may have been precisely what Portugal required. At 72, Jesus follows a traditional and authoritarian model of management. He answers reluctantly even to club presidents and has repeatedly clashed with players who challenged his authority. From that perspective, the real surprise is that his dispute with Ronaldo did not emerge until his second match in charge.

Some coaches might have retreated when confronted by Ronaldo’s anger, the hostile online reaction and criticism from sections of the Portuguese media associated with the player. Jesus did not. Renowned for his forceful and colorful language, he responded by firmly declaring that the team must always come before any individual. He explained that every player could be named among the substitutes and would enter only if the match required it. His reading of the Norway game told him Ronaldo was unnecessary, and he insisted that no footballer, executive or president would ever dictate his decisions as coach.

That uncompromising position could have proved costly had Portugal then been defeated by Denmark. Instead, they delivered an excellent performance and won 4-2. Gonçalo Ramos may have believed the debate was already resolved when he replaced Ronaldo against Switzerland in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup and scored three times in a 6-1 victory. Against Denmark, he created the opening goal and scored another, having also struck the winner against Norway. Ramos praised the new coach for introducing clearer tactical ideas and helping every player understand their position in both defense and attack. He added that the team was progressing daily and took satisfaction from defeating another strong opponent. Ramos scored again on Sunday as Portugal recovered from behind to overcome Norway at home, completing four victories from four matches during the international period.

Until recently, Portugal’s players generally supported Ronaldo publicly, describing him as a national icon and claiming that his declining mobility caused no difficulty. Bruno Fernandes has remained especially careful with his words, but some teammates are now expressing different views. Vitinha, who played alongside Ramos at Paris Saint-Germain and has witnessed the benefits of removing dominant personalities at club level, credited the coach for Portugal’s progress. He emphasized that the quality of the team’s performance was as encouraging as the result itself.

Jesus has invited Ronaldo to another discussion in an attempt to settle the dispute. Nevertheless, the Portuguese football federation appears to have accepted the likely outcome and has reportedly started preparing a farewell match for the nation’s record goalscorer. Both men have suggested that they will provide further comments this week.

In reality, this separation should have taken place much earlier. Across three major tournaments, Ronaldo’s continued prominence has hindered an exceptionally talented Portugal side. The manner in which such a distinguished career appears to be ending is unfortunate. More troubling, however, is that a once-great player seems unable to recognize his diminishing influence, leaving a national team’s ambitions subordinate to his pursuit of additional scoring records.