According to numerous media reports, Real Madrid legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to finally call time on a 23 year long international career with the Portugal national team in the coming days.
Many of you will have noticed that Real Madrid legend and modern day great, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been in the news over the past couple of days.
Having started in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League clash with Wales, the veteran was then an unused sub in the 3-2 win over Norway, despite the initial plan from manager Jorge Jesus being to play him for 30 minutes in the second half.
When addressing the media in the subsequent days, Jesus admitted that the game state changed his plans, and that Ronaldo stayed on the bench as a result, with no player too big for a decision like that.
Clearly, Ronaldo took issue with these comments - rightly or wrongly - and was seen leaving Portugal’s training session in Copenhagen, Denmark, without having taken any part of it at all. Not long after, he took a private jet to Madrid.
This has lead to some serious speculation over Ronaldo’s future with the Portugal national team, with many saying that the 2-0 win over Wales could well have been his last ever outing in Portuguese colours.
Well, many reports from the media are suggesting that is indeed the case. Various outlets, including Portuguese media outlet O Jogo, have reported that the 41 year old will now retire from the national team.
Interesting, Spanish and Madrid based media outlet, Marca, have reported that Ronaldo had planned to internationally retire after the FIFA World Cup, but Portugal convinced him to stay on. So, whilst he is sad how it has ended, his time with the Selecao was coming to an end in any case.
Marca have also reported that Portugal and Jesus want Ronaldo to change his mind, but he is convinced that retirement is the only option, so it appears to be a redundant effort. They state that he feels very disrespected after not featuring at all in the aforementioned win over Norway.
Very interesting indeed. A sad way for things to end, as touched on above. Many though that the appointment of Jesus - whom had been Ronaldo's manager at Al Nassr last season, winning the league at the fourth time of asking - would help prolong his international career, but it appears to have done the exact opposite in the end.
You would assume that current Real Madrid midfielder, and long term team mate of Ronaldo - Bernardo Silva - will be asked plenty of questions about this, both during this break and when he returns to the Spanish capital next week.
Ultimately, you get the idea that Ronaldo just struggles with the idea that he is not 25 anymore. It is fine to not play in one game. Nobody is ever above the team. But, ah well, that's football, and that's life.
