Portugal: Walid Regragui accuses teammates of betraying CR7

The psychodrama surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's departure still fuels the debates. This Sunday, Walid Regragui, consultant for Canal+ and former Morocco coach, said that the Portuguese national team players have never put themselves at the service of CR7 as the Argentinians did for Lionel Messi. His remarks reignite the controversy in Portugal.

Comparison with Argentina

Regragui emphasized that the situation could never have been repeated in Argentina. “What I mean is that it would never have happened in Argentina,” he affirmed, recalling the cult that Argentinians have for Messi. According to him, the Portuguese have never felt the same adoration for Ronaldo.

He added that running for CR7 has never been accepted by Portuguese players, whereas the Argentinians did it, even at the last World Cup. “Running for CR7, the Portuguese have never wanted to do it, the Argentinians accepted it and even at the last World Cup,” he said.

Responsibility of the Federation

Regragui also pointed the finger at the Portuguese Federation, which he considers partially responsible for the “sad outcome”. “Cristiano Ronaldo, he has still helped a lot. In Portugal, the reputation that many Portuguese players and Portuguese football have enjoyed is thanks to Ronaldo,” he said.

He believes the handling was clumsy and that the player should have been confronted earlier. “I think he is someone you should have sat down with to tell him: ‘Listen, it’s time to stop,’” he added, recalling that Ronaldo’s club coach should have been involved.

Finally, the coach denounced the superstar’s individualism. “CR7, out of ego, I think he also wants to reach 1,000 goals and maybe do it with the national team. But in the end, it gives a bad image,” he concluded.

According to Regragui, the lack of support and poor management led to a “sad outcome” for the Portuguese player, emphasizing that the country’s football must rethink its relationship with individual icons.