Gary Neville criticizes Ronaldo after Portugal exit, says it's hard to like him
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville criticized Cristiano Ronaldo’s conduct after the Portugal forward left the national team following a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo departed the squad shortly before Portugal’s match against Denmark, saying he was disappointed Jesus did not field him in a UEFA Nations League fixture against Norway and accused the coach of breaking promises. In a lengthy statement, Ronaldo apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese public for his sudden withdrawal and said he was not ending his international career, but added that he would accept any disciplinary measures the Portuguese Football Federation might impose. Despite the apology, the federation has reportedly suspended Ronaldo, though the length of the suspension and any further action remain unclear.
Speaking on The Overlap, Neville said he loves Ronaldo “to bits” but cannot approve of the statement, adding it makes Ronaldo “more difficult to like.” He explained that loving him makes him harder to like, while not liking him leads to greater dislike, and predicted that in retirement people will remember Ronaldo’s greatness rather than this episode.
For Nigerian football fans, the episode highlights how player‑coach conflicts and public statements can affect team unity and perceptions of professionalism. Will you still support Ronaldo despite his controversies, or expect higher conduct from national team stars?