Cristiano Ronaldo like sparks fresh Portugal national team controversy

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the centre of another controversy involving Portugal after liking a social-media post that strongly defended him and criticised the treatment he receives from his international teammates. The gesture came shortly after the forward left the national-team camp following a decision by coach Jorge Jesus to place him on the bench. It has added another layer to a dispute that is already raising questions about Ronaldo’s role and his future with the national side.

The publication was an extract from SporTV, a Brazilian programme broadcast by GloboEsporte, in which former Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo gave an emphatic defence of the Portuguese captain. Melo described Ronaldo as one of the greatest players in football history and as Portugal’s greatest player. He also said he would clearly take Ronaldo’s side in the disagreement with Jorge Jesus unless it could be shown that the forward had behaved disrespectfully.

Melo’s comments went beyond a defence of Ronaldo’s status. He argued that Portugal’s players do not show the same level of respect towards their captain as Argentina’s players show Lionel Messi. He said he believed Ronaldo received more respect from opponents than from his own international teammates, while stressing that, in his view, nobody within the Portugal squad came close to the veteran forward.

The post also referred to an incident involving Rasmus Hojlund during Portugal’s 4-2 defeat of Denmark on Thursday. Hojlund scored for Denmark and celebrated by imitating Ronaldo’s famous celebration. At the final whistle, the Danish forward had an unusual exchange with Jorge Jesus and appeared to push the Portuguese coach’s hand away. Melo cited the moment while making the point that Ronaldo’s opponents could sometimes appear to show him more respect than players inside his own dressing room.

Ronaldo’s like quickly drew attention because of its timing and because of the strength of the message he endorsed. The action may have been made by Ronaldo himself or by his community manager, but it was linked directly to his account. By approving a post stating that “no one comes close to Cristiano”, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to associate himself with an argument that presents his authority and standing as superior to those around him.

The episode followed Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the Portugal camp on Wednesday. His exit came after he had been left out of the starting line-up by Jorge Jesus, placing the relationship between the coach and the captain under renewed scrutiny. Ronaldo has not announced his international retirement and has said that he will explain the reasons for leaving. Until then, the decision has left his next involvement with Portugal uncertain.

At 41, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record holder for both appearances and goals. He has won 234 caps and scored 146 times for the national team. His international honours include the 2016 European Championship, the 2019 Nations League and the 2025 Nations League. Those achievements form the background to the debate over his current role, as Portugal considers how to manage the final stage of a generation that delivered major trophies.

The disagreement is therefore about more than one selection decision. Jorge Jesus must decide how much responsibility Ronaldo should retain while also managing a squad that needs to develop beyond its established leaders. Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains a central figure whose record gives weight to his claim for importance, even as his age and reduced role in the latest camp have made his position more contested.

For Portugal, the immediate issue is whether the disagreement can be contained before the next international commitments. Ronaldo’s promised explanation could clarify why he left and whether the dispute with Jorge Jesus can be resolved. Until he speaks, the liked post, the departure from camp and the debate over his place in the team will continue to dominate discussion around the national side.