Portugal: ‘It makes it difficult to like you’ – Gary Neville slams Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Manchester United player Gary Neville has voiced his concerns regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent actions and statements following his abrupt departure from the Portugal national team.
Ronaldo exited the squad shortly before a scheduled match against Denmark after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. The star forward made the decision to leave the team after Jesus’s media briefing ahead of the game.
In a detailed statement, Ronaldo outlined his reasons for withdrawing, expressing disappointment over Jesus’s choice not to include him in a UEFA Nations League match against Norway. Furthermore, he accused the coach of reneging on earlier commitments.
During an appearance on “The Overlap,” Neville expressed his disappointment with Ronaldo’s attitude. “I actually love him to bits. I can’t sit here and say I approve of that statement and think it was a good thing for him to do; it makes him more difficult to like,” Neville stated. He acknowledged that while Ronaldo’s legacy will eventually be celebrated, the current situation complicates public perception of him.
Ronaldo has since apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese public for his sudden decision to withdraw from the squad. He assured that he is ready to accept any disciplinary repercussions from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and clarified that he does not intend to retire from international play.
Despite his apology, reports indicate that Ronaldo has been suspended from the national team by the FPF. However, details regarding the length of the suspension and potential further disciplinary actions have not been disclosed.
