Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer, has warned Cristiano Ronaldo that his recent conduct could prevent him from receiving the emotional international farewell enjoyed by Lionel Messi.
Messi recently brought his Argentina career to an emotional close, telling supporters he was “grateful, proud, and at peace” after scoring his 126th international goal in his 208th appearance. The occasion was played before more than 85,000 fans in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old will now turn his attention fully to his club career with Inter Miami, while Ronaldo’s international future has become more uncertain following his reported disagreement with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus over his limited playing time against Norway.
Speaking to Betfair, former England striker Shearer criticised Ronaldo’s reaction to the situation and said accepting a decline in performance is one of the most difficult challenges for ageing players.
“There was no apology in there to the manager, was there? I find it really hard to look at this situation with Ronaldo because the hardest thing as a player when you go on the other side of the hill—clearly Ronaldo’s not as good as he once was, and the levels that he hit were staggering—is to accept that your best days are gone. It’s the hardest thing to give up, and I get it and I understand it because I’ve been there. It happened to me when I was a lot younger than Ronaldo.”
Shearer also questioned Ronaldo’s decision to walk away from the situation before releasing a statement, although he acknowledged that the Portugal captain had apologised to his teammates and supporters.
“I don’t think it’s been a good look for Ronaldo, has it, in terms of him walking off and then putting the statement out. I know he apologised to the players and fans, but there was no apology to the manager in there. I just find it sad. I don’t like it because he’s one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen play the game and his talent is ridiculous, and I don’t like seeing it because it’s not a nice situation.”
Despite the controversy, Shearer praised Ronaldo’s continued determination and goalscoring form in the Saudi Pro League, while noting that even the greatest players eventually experience a decline.
“I get the frustration and the anger from his side because when you’ve been to that level, to all of a sudden you’re not at that level anymore… and he still scores goals and I admire all of that. I admire his determination and dedication not to give up. I get that, but the hardest part is that it all comes to us. Eventually, you’re not as good as you once were.”
Shearer said it was unfortunate that the international careers of Ronaldo and Messi, two of the defining players of their generation, could be ending in contrasting circumstances. He added that Ronaldo deserves a farewell similar to Messi’s but warned that his recent troubles could prevent that.
“You’ve got the two greatest players of our era both coming to an end, and it’s ending in very different ways, which is such a shame. Because Ronaldo deserves the send-off which Messi got the other night for Argentina, and if what is happening keeps happening, then that won’t be the case.”
