Ronaldo Quits Portugal Over Shocking Feud with Coach

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international soccer.

After 23 years, 236 appearances and 146 goals, the Portugal captain is done.

His numbers are world records in men’s soccer.

He led Portugal to its first major trophy — and then two more.

But his career has not been free of controversy.

These are the five biggest controversies of his Portugal career.

2006 WORLD CUP WINK

Ronaldo was catching fire in the summer of 2006.

But his behavior toward England’s Wayne Rooney — his Manchester United teammate — cost him the Best Young Player award at that World Cup.

In a quarterfinal between Portugal and England, Rooney got into an altercation with Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Ronaldo rushed to the referee, demanding a card.

Rooney was ejected for a frustrated stamp on Carvalho.

Then Ronaldo winked at the Portuguese bench.

That wink became one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history.

FIFA’s Technical Study Group, which decided the award winners, did not like what it saw.

“We want to have decent behaviour and I admit we were critical of this,” said Holger Osieck, the head of the group.

Germany legend Lothar Matthäus added: “Cristiano, he was obviously doing something here. He may have accumulated a couple of minus points due to his gesture with Rooney but you sometimes forget what the laws are in the heat of the fight.”

Rooney likely would have been sent off anyway.

But the wink made Ronaldo the villain.

Fortunately for Manchester United, there was no lingering bad blood between the young superstars.

The next three seasons delivered three Premier League titles and a Champions League, with Ronaldo and Rooney leading the way.

CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND THROWN TO THE FLOOR

A lot of the rhetoric around Ronaldo’s retirement centers on respect — or the perceived lack of it toward him.

But he was guilty of disrespecting his national team in an aggressive way.

During a Euro 2024 qualifier, Ronaldo was substituted late in a match Portugal was winning comfortably.

He walked off slowly, shaking his head.

Then he threw his captain’s armband to the ground in frustration.

The gesture was caught on camera.

It sparked outrage among fans and former players.

Many said it showed a lack of respect for the armband and the team.

Ronaldo later apologized, saying he was frustrated with his own performance.

But the image stuck.

THE JORGE JESUS FEUD

This is the story that has dominated Ronaldo’s final months with Portugal.

Jorge Jesus is the coach of Al Hilal — one of Ronaldo’s club rivals in Saudi Arabia.

But Jesus also coached Ronaldo at Benfica early in his career.

The two have a long history.

Reports in Portuguese media say the relationship soured badly in recent months.

Jesus publicly criticized Ronaldo’s form after a Saudi Pro League match.

Ronaldo reportedly took offense.

The tension spilled into the Portugal camp.

Ronaldo felt that Jesus’s comments were personal and disrespectful.

Sources close to the Portugal federation say the feud made Ronaldo’s position with the national team untenable.

Ronaldo announced his retirement shortly after the feud escalated.

He did not mention Jesus by name in his farewell statement.

But insiders say the clash was the final straw.

THE 2018 WORLD CUP FREE KICK DRAMA

During the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo was Portugal’s undisputed star.

But his dominance created tension.

In a group-stage match against Iran, Portugal won a free kick in a dangerous position.

Several players wanted to take it — including Bernardo Silva and João Moutinho.

Ronaldo insisted on taking it himself.

He missed.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

After the game, reports emerged that some Portugal players were frustrated with Ronaldo’s refusal to let anyone else take set pieces.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos defended Ronaldo publicly.

But the incident highlighted a recurring theme: Ronaldo’s insistence on being the center of everything.

RETIREMENT TIMING AND LEGACY QUESTIONS

Ronaldo’s retirement came later than many expected.

He was 41 years old.

Some critics say he waited too long.

Goal.com wrote: “Cristiano Ronaldo carried Portugal to their greatest heights — but living legend tainted his international legacy by waiting too long to call it quits.”

Others argue he should have retired after Portugal’s Euro 2016 win, when he was at his peak.

Instead, he played through two more World Cups and two more European Championships.