Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for leaving Portugal’s national team camp, saying the incident has damaged the forward’s legacy, while insisting that his contributions to football deserve recognition.
Ronaldo reportedly left the national team camp during the recent international break following a disagreement with new coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old had accused the former Benfica manager of lying and disrespecting him after being dropped for Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway.
Ronaldo has since apologised, while the Portuguese Football Federation has imposed a suspension.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel argued that walking away from the national team was unacceptable, particularly for a captain expected to set an example for teammates and younger players.
“The last thing you will do is to walk out of your national team or your football club as a captain, as someone everybody looks up to. It just takes away everything you stand for. I do not care what deal he had with the manager or not,” Mikel said.
The former Chelsea midfielder also defended Jesus, arguing that a coach’s primary responsibility is to win matches and that agreements over playing time can change depending on a team’s needs.
Despite his criticism, Mikel maintained that Ronaldo’s remarkable career should not be overshadowed by the controversy as the Portuguese superstar approaches its final stages.
“We should be celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo now towards the end of his career. He has given so much to football. Even if you are not a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, you cannot deny what he has done for the game,” he added.
Mikel’s comments reflect the tension between a player’s individual expectations and the responsibilities that come with representing a national team, particularly for a captain of Ronaldo’s stature.
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