Madeira leader backs Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal camp departure

Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Regional Government of Madeira, has backed Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal captain left the national team’s camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Albuquerque, speaking at a public service event in the municipality of Camara de Lobos, said the forward had become the target of “petty matters and empty talk”. His comments were reported by Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

“We here in Madeira support Ronaldo,” Albuquerque said, highlighting the worldwide influence of the player, who was born on the island.

“He is the most famous Portuguese person in the world. Ronaldo has promoted Portugal and raised its standing throughout a career lasting more than 25 years. That makes him one of the Portuguese people who have brought the greatest honour to the country.

“For all these years he was the best player in the world, won everything that could be won and made an enormous contribution to the Portugal national team.”

Ronaldo’s early departure from the squad followed an apparent dispute with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. Albuquerque criticised those he believed had pushed the forward towards that decision.

“They must have annoyed him, and he did the right thing,” he said. “No-one has the patience to deal with these petty matters and this empty talk aimed at diminishing his achievements and what he represents.”

Although Albuquerque acknowledged that Ronaldo “is not always right”, he said the player’s legacy would remain secure regardless of the controversy surrounding the current situation.

“What matters at this moment is that Ronaldo remains what he has always been: a first-class player and a Portuguese man who represented and presented the country abroad in a way no-one else has done,” he added.

“In 30 years, no-one will know who the manager was. No-one will know who was in charge of the Portugal national team, and no-one will know who was commentating on football.

“But in 30, 40 or 50 years, everyone will know who Ronaldo is. That is the difference between greatness and mediocrity.”

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after Jorge Jesus did not select him for the team’s most recent match against Norway. The manager also said he would not play Ronaldo in Thursday’s meeting with Denmark in the Nations League.

The departure represents an unprecedented disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus, according to the original report, and has placed the future of the Portugal captain’s involvement in the camp at the centre of attention.

Albuquerque nevertheless focused on Ronaldo’s long-term impact, arguing that his standing as the country’s most internationally recognised footballer would outlast the officials and commentators associated with the present dispute.