Former Portugal midfielder Jose Luis Vidigal has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo’s explanation for leaving the national team camp, insisting the attacker’s statement failed to justify his actions during the recent fallout with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The controversy erupted during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign in the recent international break when Cristiano Ronaldo parted with the group ahead of the clash with Denmark. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner later revealed why he made the decision, explaining that Jesus had gone back on promises regarding his playing time and a planned public explanation.

During a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Vidigal was asked to comment on the incident. The former Portugal midfielder backed Jesus and suggested Ronaldo had made a wrong decision which he would regret. He said:

“Please, enough (laughs). The coach did what he had to do. When Ronaldo took the return flight, I immediately thought he would regret what he was doing.”

Vidigal went on to dismiss Ronaldo’s public explanation, insisting that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s statement failed to justify many things.

“The statement he made doesn’t justify many things; Jesus said he made a mistake, but to make him kneel, I think that’s something that doesn’t exist anywhere,” he added.

The incident has cast fresh doubt over Ronaldo’s relationship with Jesus despite the forward insisting he still wants to represent Portugal. With the dust yet to fully settle, attention will now turn to whether the pair can move past the dispute ahead of the nation’s next international fixtures in November.

Cristiano Ronaldo bounces back with goal on Al-Nassr return

Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time putting the Portugal controversy behind him after returning to Al-Nassr. The veteran forward was back in the starting lineup for his club following the international break and marked his return with a brilliant goal during the 3-0 victory over Al Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

The strike was the 41-year-old’s fourth goal of the season for Al-Nassr across all competitions and it came at a crucial point to remind everyone of his amazing quality in front of goal despite the off-field headlines he’s made recently.

Ronaldo will now hope to build on that performance as Al-Nassr continue their domestic and continental campaigns. With the Portugal icon also closing in on the historic milestone of 1,000 official career goals, every appearance and every goal takes him a step closer to another remarkable achievement.