Rabat – Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has strongly criticized Cristiano Ronaldo over his recent departure from the Portugal national team camp, saying the five-time Ballon d’Or winner handled the situation incorrectly.
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, which airs through The United Stand, Rooney questioned Ronaldo’s decision to leave the squad following his dispute with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
“To leave the Portugal squad in that way and then release that statement, from my point of view, it was wrong in every sense,” Rooney said.
The former United captain argued that Ronaldo’s actions showed disrespect toward the coaching staff, teammates and Portuguese Football Federation.
“To undermine your manager, your teammates and the federation in the way he did was very wrong,” Rooney added. “The whole process was wrong. It wasn’t nice to watch.”
Rooney questions Ronaldo’s handling of career transition
Rooney was particularly critical of Ronaldo’s claim that he and Jesus had agreed on points the Portugal coach was expected to address during a press conference.
Ronaldo said earlier this month that Jesus had broken promises concerning his playing time and later failed to follow an agreed set of talking points when addressing the media. Jesus denied that such an agreement existed.
“You can’t tell a manager what he should say in a press conference,” Rooney said. “That goes beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
The former England international also suggested that Ronaldo is finding it difficult to come to terms with the closing stages of his Portugal career.
“It happens to every player. At some point, your international career comes to an end,” Rooney said. “He’s not dealing with that well, and it’s becoming uncomfortable to watch.”
Rooney and Ronaldo shared the Manchester United dressing room between 2004 and 2009, winning three consecutive Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League together.
Ronaldo faces disciplinary proceedings
Ronaldo’s situation with Portugal remains unresolved.
The Portuguese Football Federation provisionally suspended the Al Nassr forward after opening disciplinary proceedings over his decision to leave the national team camp in Copenhagen before Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo has since apologized to Portugal supporters and his teammates for leaving but defended his frustration with Jesus. He also made clear that he has not retired from international football and remains available to represent Portugal once any disciplinary consequences have been resolved.
The federation has yet to announce a final sanction, leaving Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team uncertain.
