‘It’s wrong in every way’: Rooney slams Ronaldo over Portugal camp controversy
Wayne Rooney came down heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo over the Portuguese superstar’s controversial departure from the national team camp, accusing his former Manchester United teammate of undermining his coach, teammates and the Portuguese Football Federation.
The former Manchester United forward did not hold back while discussing his old teammate’s actions, insisting that Ronaldo’s handling of the situation was wrong from every angle.
Speaking on Stick to United, Rooney questioned the timing and manner of Ronaldo’s departure, drawing comparisons with Lionel Messi’s emotional farewell to Argentina’s national team.
“My opinion about Ronaldo was: why? If I'm honest, because he's such a great player,” Rooney said.
“For him to leave the Portugal training camp like that and then publish that statement... It's wrong in every way, from my point of view.”
Rooney was particularly critical of Ronaldo’s treatment of the coaching staff and his teammates, arguing that the incident had damaged more than just the player’s relationship with the manager.
“Undermining your coach and teammates the way he did was very wrong. He undermined the Portuguese Football Federation. Everything was wrong from a footballing perspective, as a teammate and also as a coach,” he added.
“It's a shame. Every player reaches a point where they have to leave international football, to retire from the sport. It happens to everyone, and unfortunately, he's not handling it well, and it's uncomfortable to watch.”
The controversy intensified after Ronaldo issued a lengthy statement explaining his decision to leave the Portugal camp.
The Al-Nassr star claimed that coach Jorge Jesus had broken his word after allegedly promising him a 30-minute appearance against Norway in Oslo. According to Ronaldo, he had completed the pre-match preparations only to be left out of the action.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also apologised to the supporters who attended the Norway-Portugal clash, as well as his teammates for abandoning the training camp.
“I shouldn't have done it. The responsibility is solely mine,” Ronaldo acknowledged.
His admission added another layer to an already tense situation, with the Portuguese captain accepting that his conduct had crossed a line.
In another striking passage, Ronaldo claimed that the coach had later been given an opportunity to address the dispute following a conversation about the incident.
According to the player's account, the coach had agreed to acknowledge his mistake publicly and recognise Ronaldo's standing in the game. Ronaldo alleged that the proposed remarks would have compared his stature with that of legendary figures Pele and Diego Maradona.
However, the player considered the failure to follow through on that understanding another breach of trust.
The dispute has raised fresh questions about the relationship between the Portugal captain and the coaching staff, while Rooney's criticism has added further pressure on a player whose career has been defined by extraordinary achievements and an uncompromising personality.
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Ronaldo, meanwhile, has made it clear that he is prepared to face the consequences of his actions.
“They must evaluate and sanction the consequences of my actions. I believe the sanction should not be reduced. I am not just any player; I am the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor,” he said.
“I have already apologised, but I know that actions must have consequences.”
With Rooney openly questioning his former teammate's judgement and Ronaldo acknowledging that disciplinary action may follow, the controversy has become another difficult chapter in the Portuguese superstar's international career.
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