Romario backs Cristiano Ronaldo amid national team turmoil

While Cristiano Ronaldo's future with the national team remains uncertain after his hasty departure from the training camp, the legendary Brazilian striker Romário stepped in on Wednesday on the Charla Podcast to defend him, recalling Portugal's 1‑2 defeat in Norway and the controversy surrounding coach Jorge Jesus, in the context of the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo's criticisms

In a scathing statement released on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo said he was ready to return after a possible suspension, while openly targeting coach Jorge Jesus. He explained that his departure from the camp was due to disagreements over the handling of his role in the Nations League.

Jorge Jesus, who left the door wide open for a return, responded laconicly, adding a brief sentence that fueled speculation. The Portuguese coach did not seek to aggravate the situation, but his silence was perceived as a lack of clarity.

The Portuguese press mocked Ronaldo's lengthy text, describing it as outrageous and filled with surreal demands. This mockery reinforced the sense of a rift between the player and the staff.

Romário's support

On Wednesday, Romário, former legend of the Seleção, defended CR7 on the Charla Podcast. « Cristiano Ronaldo seems to me to be a very straightforward person, a true gentleman. And from what he said… Jorge Jesus – whom I like, by the way, I had contacts with him when he was coaching Flamengo here – did not keep his word to him », he said. He added that « a handshake is worth more than a contract or anything else » and that the coach was « a nasty guy » if he did not honor an agreement.

Romário went on to say that if the events unfolded as Ronaldo described them, the player is justified in leaving. « Ah, but he abandoned the national team… Okay, but he had already been humiliated once. We had not kept our word with him », he insisted, calling to « cross out » the coach.

In his statement, Ronaldo accuses Jorge Jesus of having him warm up without bringing him onto the field during the match in Norway, which was lost 1‑2, and then of not reading the text he had prepared for the press conference. He claims that agreements had been made for this conference, but the coach said nothing, calling him arrogant and insolent.

Romário concluded that Ronaldo's mistake lies in not having been sent away immediately, as he would have done himself. This analysis highlights the depth of the conflict between the player and the staff.