HUmberto Coelho, ‘living legend’ of Portuguese football, gave, this Wednesday, an extensive interview to the program ‘Bola Branca’, broadcast by Rádio Renascença, in which he addressed, ‘without mincing words’, the controversy sparked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s abandonment of Portugal’s main team, in disagreement with the management he was subjected to by Jorge Jesus.
“Nobody won. Nobody won and nobody will win. This was, in fact, a very, very complicated, very dark period. Not only for Cristiano Ronaldo, but also for the federation”, began by stating the former vice-president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), a position he abandoned in 2025, when Pedro Proença was elected as the organization’s top leader.
“This is an extraordinary player who did a lot for the national team and for Portugal and it is a federation that also has, finally, responsibility. That’s why it was a shame, it was a shame. I feel sorry for that”, he added, sparing no one from criticism, not even the national coach, for the way he handled this case.
“What I know is that if I were a national team coach, this wouldn’t happen. That’s for sure. And if I were a player, I also don’t think so, because I was captain of the national team and I think it shouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen. So I honestly don’t know what could happen (…). I think he is in fact the captain. We spent 20 years with Cristiano Ronaldo supporting and carrying the national team behind us”, he defended.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return could cause “serious problems again”
For Benfica’s historic defender, despite what happened, Cristiano Ronaldo will have to return to represent Portugal. Still, he stressed that “it all depends on the players” and the way they will be willing to receive him: “There is one thing that is important, and it seems to me that the players today are with Jorge Jesus.”
“I would like him to come back, right? But not for there to be more situations like this. Everything had to be in agreement and that is up to the selector, the president and Cristiano (…) There has to be an understanding, but an understanding that is good. And for people to take responsibility. Because if the return is not well planned and well prepared, with responsibility, there is no point. Because then there could be serious problems again”, he analyzed.
“It was important that, in fact, he was suspended. That’s one thing. Now, giving a fine of 255 euros… I think that’s a bit out of context, it doesn’t help at all”, he concluded.
Returning in November?
Cristiano Ronaldo, remember, was punished with a 30-day suspension, a period that began to run from the moment he left the corner team camp, that is, on September 30th, on the eve of the victory achieved in the trip to Parken, over Denmark, by 2-4.
This means that the Al Nassr striker will be ‘free’ from October 30th, and could be part of Jorge Jesus’ squad list for the games in the last two rounds of the Nations League group stage, against Denmark (on November 14th, at Braga Municipal Stadium) and Wales (on November 17th, at Cardiff City Stadium).
