He is a faded star living on past glories and increasingly playing for himself, writes Oliver Holt
Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina in Buenos Aires next week in a friendly against Benin — a carefully scripted farewell for one of the greatest players ever. Whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be granted anything like that in the international game he has graced for 23 years remains to be seen.
If Messi seems at peace with the limitations age has imposed, Ronaldo is still raging against the dying of the light. It was hard not to feel sad watching the 41‑year‑old walk out of Portugal’s camp after manager Jorge Jesus chose not to bring him off the bench in the Nations League win over Norway in Oslo on Sunday — the first time in 18 years Ronaldo had been an unused substitute for his country. He then missed a training session and later had dinner with Jesus in an attempt to resolve their differences.
Ronaldo has played 234 times for Portugal, scoring 146 goals. Flouncing out of the squad at this stage of his international career suggests this may be the end. But it also reflects the strength of leadership Portugal have been crying out for. Many believe Ronaldo has not deserved a starting place for at least five years. He has become an example of a faded star living on image and memory of past glories, increasingly playing for himself. He has scored 979 career goals and appears intent on being the first officially credited with 1,000 — a chase that feels more personal than national now.
It is beginning to look as if he may have to get those goals playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, a move that effectively propped up his profile after he left Manchester United in late 2022 amid claims of betrayal. The previous Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, lacked the stomach to confront Ronaldo’s power and persisted with him at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and again at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. On both occasions Portugal had a richly talented squad, yet Ronaldo’s selection proved controversial and divisive; in 2026 they were among the favourites but were eliminated by Spain in the last 16.
Ronaldo was a magnificent player in his prime, second only to Messi among his generation. But he has been a shadow of that player for a long time, and now even his past reputation cannot save him. He has become the epitome of a sportsman who cannot let go and risks damaging his legacy by refusing to leave the arena. Watching him play now is like watching a fighter who has taken too many blows. Those who have his best interests at heart want him to call an end, but he appears unable to.
This moment had been coming. Many were astonished that Gonçalo Ramos — now at AC Milan and a former PSG forward — was not Portugal’s first choice in recent tournaments. Jesus started Ramos against Norway and he repaid that faith by scoring the winner. Jesus has indicated Ramos, not Ronaldo, would start the next Nations League tie in Copenhagen against Denmark — a clear signal that the team is moving on.
Time catches up with everyone, however great they are. Messi accepted that reality after the World Cup final; it is to be hoped Ronaldo can find the same acceptance before he further tarnishes a career that has, until now, been exemplary.
