Wayne Rooney has fiercely criticised Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese superstar’s dramatic exit from the national squad amid a brewing conflict with coach Jorge Jesus.
The turmoil erupted after Ronaldo was promised 30 minutes of playtime against Norway in the UEFA Nations League but was left sidelined on the bench, sparking his abrupt departure from the camp.
Ronaldo’s unexpected withdrawal from the Portugal setup sent shockwaves through the football world, especially as it coincided with Lionel Messi’s retirement announcement from Argentina. The 41-year-old later issued an apology to his teammates and accepted responsibility, acknowledging potential disciplinary action from the Portuguese Football Federation, which is preparing to impose a fine and a suspension. Under federation regulations, players who fail to appear for international duty face bans ranging from one to six months alongside hefty financial penalties.
Rooney, reflecting on the incident and his former Manchester United teammate’s conduct, delivered a scathing assessment. “My thoughts on Ronaldo is just: ‘Why?'” Rooney stated emphatically. “It was the same day Messi was retiring from Argentina and for him to come out of the Portugal squad in that way, then put that statement out… It’s just wrong in every sense.”
The former England captain condemned Ronaldo’s actions for undermining multiple facets of the team environment. “To undermine your manager, undermine your teammates the way he has – it was just so wrong. To undermine the Portuguese FA, everything about it was just wrong. From a football point of view, from being a teammate and a manager, it wasn’t nice to see,” Rooney added.
He further criticised Ronaldo’s inability to handle the situation maturely, suggesting the veteran star is struggling to come to terms with the twilight of his international career. “It comes to every player. You have to finish international football and unfortunately he’s not dealing with it well. It’s uncomfortable to see,” Rooney remarked. “You can’t tell a manager what he’s got to say. That just goes beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo has not officially retired from international football, as he continues his relentless pursuit of the monumental milestone of scoring 1000 career goals. Currently sitting on 981 goals, Ronaldo remains determined to reach this historic landmark before closing the chapter on his playing career.