Ronaldo ignores national criticism while coach Jesus backs him

On the one hand, Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is confronted with fierce criticism over his participation in the upcoming international break; on the other hand he remains unyielding and sets his own terms for his departure. The Portuguese has already 233 caps to his name and wants to increase that number further, despite calls for a younger generation.

Coach Jesus confirms confidence

The current head coach of Portugal, Jorge Jesus, has selected Ronaldo again for the national team. He emphasizes that the striker only starts if he performs: “If he performs, he plays. If not, he does not play.”

Jesus adds that Ronaldo “is different from the rest, but that has zero impact on my decisions”. The coach therefore continues to rely on the experience of the top scorer, even when the media raise questions about the selection.

Portuguese media have questioned Jesus's choice, especially after the departure of former head coach Roberto Martínez, who always defended Ronaldo. The call for a rebuild of the national team is growing louder.

Unexpected split: Ronaldo leaves the Portuguese camp in Denmark

Ronaldo responded sharply to the criticism. “I decide myself when I stop. I have a clear conscience. I have won three titles with Portugal (Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles) and before my time we had never won anything,” he said.

The striker of Al‑Nassr emphasizes that his motivation remains undiminished and that he does not want to be pushed to the sidelines for the younger players. His own words underline a determined attitude towards both the media and the selection.

Benchwarmer Ronaldo leaves Portugal before Nations League duel

Although Ronaldo's future in the national team remains uncertain, the combination of his own steadfastness and coach Jesus's confidence shows that he will not show any sign of withdrawal for the time being.