Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal future in doubt as pride overshadows his final chapter

Cristiano Ronaldo’s time with Portugal appears to be nearing an unhappy conclusion, with tensions involving manager and compatriot Jorge Jesus raising questions over how one of the country’s greatest careers will end.

The 41-year-old has reportedly fallen out with Jesus, despite expectations that the manager would be one of his strongest defenders during the closing years of his international career. Since Jesus was appointed, supporters had assumed he understood Ronaldo and would give him the role he wanted. Jesus had also praised the forward throughout last season and defended him during difficult periods at Al Nassr.

The relationship has now changed dramatically. Ronaldo was the player whose call was credited with bringing Jesus to Al Nassr, yet the two men are now on opposing sides of a dispute. Ronaldo has said he will reveal the truth at the appropriate time, but the immediate issue is clear: at 41, even Cristiano Ronaldo cannot expect to remain the undisputed first choice forever.

Being left on the bench for one match would not have diminished his legacy. He could have been angry, challenged the decision or asked Jesus for an explanation. Instead, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward appears to have struggled to accept that time is no longer entirely on his side.

The tension, his departure from the Portugal camp and leaving the team amid a crisis could now shape the final chapter of his international career. It is an uncomfortable ending for a player who has spent years pursuing records and is now targeting his 1,000th goal.

The determination that made Ronaldo exceptional also helped him overcome injuries, adapt his game and defy age. But that same pride can become an obstacle if it prevents a great player from recognising when to stop.

Messi chose his moment

Lionel Messi provides a contrasting example. He briefly retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final, before reversing that decision. His eventual farewell came after he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and added another Copa America title.

Messi continued through the 2026 World Cup before announcing his permanent international retirement at 39, following defeat by Spain in the final. He did not leave because he could no longer play, because he had been asked to go or because a manager had decided another player was better. He believed the story had reached its final chapter.

Next week, Messi will play a farewell match against Benin at the Monumental, in what is expected to become a celebration of an international career whose ending he selected himself.

Lessons from Zidane and Pele

Zinedine Zidane’s final tournament with France was painful, ending with a red card against Italy after his headbutt on Marco Materazzi. Yet Zidane had already announced that the 2006 World Cup would be his last. He reached the final, scored a famous Panenka penalty and left international football at 34, without waiting to become a peripheral figure.

Pele made the decision even earlier. After leading Brazil to their third World Cup in 1970, he played his final international match in 1971 at the age of 30. Still capable of making a difference, he chose to leave at the summit rather than wait for age to decide his fate.