Ex-Barcelona Star Slams Portugal Coach Over ‘Disrespectful’ Ronaldo Treatment

 

Former Barcelona star Arturo Vidal has blasted Portugal coach Jorge Jesus over his treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo, describing it as “complete disrespect.”

Ronaldo sensationally walked out of the Portugal camp this week after being left as an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Norway, despite warming up in the second half, a situation that has dominated Portugal’s Nations League break.

Portugal then fueled the fire by handing Ronaldo’s iconic No.7 shirt to Rafael Leao for the next games against Denmark and Norway — a move British broadcaster Piers Morgan branded “disgusting, shameful.”

Wading into the controversy Vidal, who faced Ronaldo on numerous occasions, offered his full support to the 41-year-old.

Speaking to Portuguese newspaper “A Bola” on Friday, Vidal said: ”Honestly, this is shameful. A player like Cristiano, who is one of the four best players in the history of football, and everyone would place him first, second or third, leaving the national team in this way. This is very bad.”

The Chilean midfielder, who also played for Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, aimed his criticism at coach Jorge Jesus, positing that Ronaldo deserves treatment befitting his standing and everything he has given to Portuguese football.

“I think the coach came across very badly. Cristiano must be cared for and protected, as he is a player who has given everything for Portugal and made the national team one of the best teams in the world.

“A player like this cannot leave in this way. Cristiano has the right to do what he wants. What he has given to football and to the Portugal national team is that he took them to another level. There are coaches who do not respect these things.”

At the age of 18, Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.

At UEFA Euro 2004, he scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to Greece in his eighth international appearance.

Despite Portugal losing to Greece again in the final, Ronaldo made the team of the tournament, with two assists and two goals.

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, at the age of 21 years and 132 days, Ronaldo became the youngest ever goalscorer for Portugal at a World Cup finals, as they reached the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to France.

Also he led Portugal to win the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025