Former England striker Gary Lineker has said it was sad to watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career drift towards an acrimonious ending, arguing that the Portuguese great deserves a farewell as warm as Lionel Messi’s send-off with Argentina. Lineker was speaking to reporters at the Leaders Week sports industry conference at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The rift with Jorge Jesus: Lineker Ronaldo Messi farewell
Ronaldo, 41, published a lengthy statement of more than 1,700 words to Portuguese media on Tuesday, later sharing it on his social accounts, laying out his version of events in a dispute with new Portugal coach Jorge Jesus over what was agreed and what the coach then said at a press conference.
According to Ronaldo, the arrangement was that he would play for 30 minutes against Norway in one of Portugal’s four UEFA Nations League fixtures. The coach wanted him to feature in the opener against Wales on September 24, skip the matches against Norway on September 27 and Denmark on October 1, and return for the rematch against Norway on October 4. Ronaldo says Jesus did not think he should travel for the middle games, but the captain wanted to stay with the squad to set an example even if he was not playing. Despite the row, Ronaldo insists his Portugal career is not over.
Messi’s send-off as the standard
Lineker said the episode was a pity given how much Ronaldo had given to the game, predicting that in a few years nobody would remember the quarrel and only the greatness would remain. “I think it’s a bit sad because he’s been so great,” he said, adding that Messi’s farewell had been “so beautiful” and that Cristiano deserved the same.
Ronaldo and Messi will go down as two of the finest footballers in history after years of rivalling each other at the summit of the game. Messi has eight Ballon d’Or titles to Ronaldo’s five, though neither man ranks among the favourites for this year’s award.
FAQ
What did Gary Lineker say about Ronaldo’s Portugal career?
Lineker said it was sad to see Ronaldo’s international career heading towards an acrimonious end and that he deserved a farewell like Lionel Messi’s uplifting Argentina send-off.
What is the dispute between Ronaldo and the Portugal coach?
Ronaldo’s Tuesday statement contested new coach Jorge Jesus’s account of an agreement over his minutes in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League fixtures, including whether he should travel for the matches he was not picked to play.
Where did Lineker make the comments?
He spoke to reporters at the Leaders Week sports industry conference at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
How many Ballon d’Or awards have Messi and Ronaldo won?
Messi has won eight and Ronaldo five. Neither is among the favourites for this year’s award.
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Originally reported by geosuper.tv.
