Daniel Riolo has described Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp as “ridiculous” and “absurd”, saying the incident could mark a disastrous end to the forward’s international career.
The 41-year-old was left on the bench for Portugal’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Norway. Ronaldo warmed up but did not come on, and was reportedly deeply unhappy with the decision.
Tensions initially eased after discussions involving Ronaldo, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation and head coach Jorge Jesus. However, the situation deteriorated after Jesus’ news conference before the match against Denmark.
Ronaldo felt disrespected by the coach, with the disagreement ending in the forward leaving camp on a private plane bound for Madrid. He has said he will explain the circumstances publicly.
Speaking on RMC’s After Foot programme on Wednesday, Riolo criticised Ronaldo’s conduct and said the episode had seriously damaged the player’s image.
> “I don’t know what the Portuguese think about this, but we’re watching a spectacle. It’s ridiculous, absurd! Everything that happened is outrageous,” Riolo said. “This guy has messed up his farewell so badly, it’s unbelievable. I expected it, I knew this would happen. But seriously… this guy is really crazy!”
Jesus insists Ronaldo will not receive special treatment
Portugal won their first major international trophy at the 2016 European Championship and have since lifted the UEFA Nations League twice.
Ronaldo remains the country’s most-capped player, with 234 appearances, and its leading scorer with 146 goals. But Jesus made clear before the Denmark match in Copenhagen that he was the only coach in charge of the team.
That remained his position despite having worked with Ronaldo for a season at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and despite the status the veteran forward holds within Portuguese football.
Riolo argued that Ronaldo’s exceptional standing had helped create the circumstances behind the dispute. He said the player’s special status had led to preferential treatment and left him detached from those around him.
> “This was predictable. This guy left the planet years ago. He lives in another world,” Riolo said. “I’ve always thought he’s been mad for years. Just look at his social media accountsI think he’s in the same category as Elon Musk and those types of people, the transhumanists. He’s already in another galaxy, not with us.”
The commentator added that Ronaldo’s teammates could no longer relate to him as a normal member of the squad.
> “Clearly, his teammates can’t coexist with him anymore; he’s no longer a normal person like us. He sees himself as someone else, as a superhero or something. I’ve always believed things would end this way.”
Riolo said the Portuguese Football Federation and Jesus could not ignore what had happened, even if Ronaldo had not formally announced his international retirement.
> “Even if he hasn’t officially announced it, this conduct means the Football Federation and Jorge Jesus can’t simply overlook it; they have to tell him that his behavior is too serious.”
