Rabat – Croatia captain Luka Modric has expressed sadness over Cristiano Ronaldo’s current situation with Portugal, saying the national team’s all-time leading scorer deserves an ending worthy of his historic international career.
Speaking after Croatia’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Spain on Tuesday, Modric admitted he did not know the full details of the disagreement between Ronaldo and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
“I haven’t spoken to him. It’s difficult to say anything because I don’t know exactly what happened,” Modric said.
The former Real Madrid midfielder nevertheless expressed hope that Ronaldo and the Portuguese Football Federation can find a solution.
“It’s sad to see what is happening with Cristiano in his country,” Modric added, arguing that the Portuguese captain deserves a major farewell if he eventually decides to end his international career.
Modric calls Ronaldo Portugal’s greatest
Modric, who shared the Real Madrid dressing room with Ronaldo for six seasons, went further in his assessment of the 41-year-old’s place in Portuguese football history.
“Cristiano is the greatest player in Portugal’s history,” he said, adding that his former teammate deserves “a different ending” with the national team.
Ronaldo’s future has been the subject of intense debate since he abruptly left Portugal’s training camp last week following a disagreement with Jesus.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner later released a lengthy statement explaining his version of events. Ronaldo accused Jesus of failing to keep his word on two occasions, including over plans for his involvement against Norway and comments the coach was expected to make publicly before the Denmark match.
Ronaldo apologized to his teammates and Portuguese supporters for leaving the camp and acknowledged that he could face disciplinary action.
However, he made clear that he has not retired from international football. Ronaldo said that once any suspension is served, he will remain available for Portugal provided he is fit, playing regularly and capable of competing at the required level.
Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença have also publicly left the door open for his return, describing the dispute as something that could still be resolved.
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal and remains the country’s record holder in both categories.
