Luka Modric says Cristiano Ronaldo deserves proper Portugal farewell
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Ronaldo’s future with Portugal is up in the air.
The tussle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal national team head coach Jorge Jesus has taken another turn. The veteran forward left the national team camp after disagreeing with Jesus. Now the veteran forward has released a lengthy statement revealing the details behind the tiff.
The Al-Nassr forward claimed that Jesus had broken his promise on two occasions, including reneging on a promise to play Ronaldo for 30 minutes during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway.
Instead, Ronaldo was asked to warm up without ever being brought on. This led to the 41-year-old departing the national team camp on his private jet.
Media reports indicate that Ronaldo has decided not to return to the Portugal setup as long as Jesus remains in charge as head coach. The player said that he remains available for selection.
Also Read: Portugal working to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back for farewell match – Report
Luka Modric backs Cristiano Ronaldo farewell
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Having turned 41, Ronaldo knows that time is not on his side if he wants to make another appearance in a Portugal shirt. With the disagreement between the player and the head coach showing no signs of being resolved amicably, there are serious question marks about Ronaldo’s international future.
There have been rumours that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is attempting to arrange a farewell match for Ronaldo to bring the curtain down on one of the most successful international careers in football history.
Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric has backed this idea, saying that a player of Ronaldo’s stature deserves a proper send-off.
“Cristiano is the greatest player in the history of Portugal, and he deserves another farewell and another ending with the national team,” Modric told Cadena SER. “It’s sad to see this happening to Cristiano in his own country.”
“Still, I think they will find a solution, because Cris deserves, whether he retires or decides not to continue with the national team, to have a great farewell that reflects what he deserves,” he continued.
“So, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I hope the situation gets resolved.”
Ronaldo reiterated in his statement that he has not retired from international duty. He remains available for selection after serving whatever punishment is meted out to him for prematurely leaving the national team camp.
What did Luka Modric say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
Modric said Ronaldo deserves another farewell and a proper ending with the Portugal national team.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave the Portugal camp?
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over a promised 30-minute appearance.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo retired from Portugal?
No, Ronaldo said he has not retired from international football and remains available for Portugal selection.
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