Cristiano Ronaldo has added fuel to the fire of his international fallout by liking a post criticising his estranged Portugal team-mates.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United great, 41, stormed out of camp on Wednesday after new manager Jorge Jesus had left him as an unused substitute during the 2-1 win against Norway, and then insisted in a press conference that there was no issue between the pair.
The team then appeared to function better in his absence, defeating Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League on Thursday.
After that game, former Brazil star Felipe Melo spoke to media scolding the Portugal players and accusing them of a lack of respect towards Ronaldo.
He claimed Lionel Messi received much more respect when with Argentina and told SportV: ‘I see a grotesque difference in the players’ treatment with Cristiano Ronaldo in relation to Argentina players with (Lionel) Messi.
‘I see much more respect from the opponents who play against Cristiano Ronaldo, I think that’s wrong.
‘No one reaches the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s unacceptable. You can’t let the best player in history leave like that, as if nothing had happened. You can’t.’
The clip found its way on to Instagram and Ronaldo was among those to like it.
After leaving camp, Ronaldo said: ‘I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure’
Former Brazil star Felipe Melo accused the Portugal players of a lack of respect towards Ronaldo, who liked the post on Instagram (Source: sportv/Instagram)
Ronaldo didn’t go quietly, posting after his walkout: ‘After the press conference of the national team coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp.
‘In due time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always devoted myself.
‘Now is the time to wish and all my team-mates good luck, without exception.’
Reports in Portugal claim Ronaldo could be suspended from playing for his country for between one and six months if he is found to have ‘abandoned’ the team.
The Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary code states: ‘Any player who, having been regularly called up, unjustifiably abandons or fails to appear for training, a match, or any activity of the national teams or related to the sporting representation of the FPF or Portugal, will be sanctioned with a suspension of one to six months.’
His decision to quit the Portuguese camp has sparked suggestions he may retire from international duty and has even prompted the intervention of the country’s Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro.
Record reports Montenegro has discussed the issue with Ronaldo, as well as Jesus and Pedro Proenca, the head of the Portuguese FA.
It is unclear whether Montenegro was attempting to resolve a dispute described as an ‘earthquake’ in Portugal, or if he was merely wanting to be briefed.
Speaking before the Denmark game, Jesus insisted he had a ‘completely’ clear conscience amid the Ronaldo saga. ‘It was a frantic few hours because we had two games,’ he added.
‘Now we have another one… Besides, I’ve been in football for many years and I know I didn’t do anything to prevent the situation from continuing as before.’
Ronaldo’s sister Elma has come out in support of her brother after his shock exit from the Portugal camp (Source: Elma_Official/Instagram)
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, had earlier fanned the flames of controversy by claiming Portuguese people ‘deserve mediocrity’ because of their treatment of the country’s record goalscorer.
‘The national team deserved better structuring,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘The Portuguese press deserved more competence and fewer guesses.
‘As for the Portuguese… well, they don’t deserve the best in anything. We are envious, contemptuous, ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything CR7!’
Elma was not the only supporter from inside Ronaldo’s camp to suggest that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had been treated unfairly, with Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre – who is friends with the Al-Nassr superstar – claiming he had been ‘betrayed’ by Jesus.
‘There was a meeting yesterday, Tuesday night,’ he told Spanish programme El Chiringuito. ‘A meeting between the Federation president, the coach, and Cristiano. Jorge Jesus apologized to Cristiano for the disregard shown in making him warm up for 30 minutes instead of playing him.
‘And not only did he apologize privately, but he also told him he would apologize publicly, that he would publicly admit his mistake. That’s Jorge Jesus’s promise to Cristiano. And then he goes to the press conference and tells this many lies that nobody believes.
‘That’s why Cristiano explodes, because he feels betrayed. There’s nothing more to it, it’s really like that. Your coach comes to you privately: “Look, see, this is how it was, you understand me, okay, I didn’t manage the situation well, we’re in this together, I’m sorry. If there’s a press conference, I’ll clarify everything, I’ll apologize, don’t worry, everything will be fine, everything will be resolved.” Then you go to the press conference 12 hours later and leave Cristiano still…
‘Worse, you’re acting tough, saying that you’re the one in charge and that Cristiano is just another player. Go home and move on. That’s why I say: betrayal.’
