Lizarazu warns of more drama over Cristiano Ronaldo's exit in Portugal's "Elephant Graveyard" after a row with coach Jorge Jesus

The former left‑back of FC Bayern Munich, Bixente Lizarazu, criticised the ongoing dispute between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team coach Jorge Jesus and warned that the continued “theatre” would be a serious mistake for the federation, the coach and the player.

Lizarazu criticises the current theatre

"If this theatre continues, it is a serious mistake by all three parties: the federation, Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo," said the former left‑back of FC Bayern Munich on TF1. He stressed that the dispute threatened the team's reputation. Lizarazu, who himself played for the club, saw the situation as untenable.

"It must not be that the story of a player like him – and in view of what he represents for Portugal – ends in this way," he added. By this he referred to Cristiano Ronaldo's long‑standing importance for the national team.

Ronaldo and the national team

CR7 left the Portuguese national team camp last week after coach Jorge Jesus deployed Gonçalo Ramos as a striker in the Nations League clash in Denmark. Previously, Ronaldo was only allowed to warm up as a substitute in Norway and did not take the field.

Ronaldo issues statement after fallout with Portugal coach, faces possible suspension

At forty‑one, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play his final season and aims to reach the milestone of one thousand career goals. Despite his age, he remains a key player for Portugal.

Lizarazu's warning for the end

"His ego has driven him to work obsessively and break every record, but that could one day become his worst enemy," said Lizarazu. "Because you have the age you have – and he will end up on the 'Elephant Cemetery', I guarantee that," he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo accuses Jorge Jesus of not keeping the promise

Whether the dispute with Jorge Jesus will be resolved remains to be seen; Lizarazu stressed that for an ageing player like Cristiano Ronaldo, accepting one's own limits is inevitable.