Ronaldo leaves Portuguese national team by private jet, retirement branded 'pathetic'

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his international career on Thursday, twenty-three years after his first cap for Portugal. The announcement came via a lengthy video posted on his social media, with no official ceremony or farewell match.

CR7’s last appearance in a Portugal shirt dates back to September 24, during a Nations League match against Wales. Days later, unhappy with manager Jorge Jesus — who had left him on the bench in the following match against Norway when he expected to play — the Al-Nassr forward left the squad and boarded his private jet to return home. According to several sources, he also categorically refused to have a friendly match organized in his honour.

This quiet exit did not go unnoticed. Columnist Héloïse Kane expressed her disappointment bluntly: “It’s a strong word when I say this, but I find it a bit pathetic. Sadly pathetic. He’s an extraordinary player, a football legend and a legend of his country, the most famous person in Portugal’s history. And to end like this, I find it a bit unfortunate.”

Kane, however, nuanced her remarks by noting that this exit remains, in a way, true to character. “It could have gone differently — we saw how it ended with Messi. But on the other hand, it’s also him choosing his exit. Leaving by private jet playing the star, that’s so him. It’s in his temperament, his image, it’s hyper-dramatic. I find it totally in his image.”

With 217 caps and 137 international goals, Ronaldo remains the most-capped player and top scorer in Portuguese national team history. His national team honours include Euro 2016 and the inaugural Nations League title in 2019.