Ronaldo situation was mishandled, says former Morocco boss Walid Regragui

Walid Regragui believes the dispute involving Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal national team could have been handled differently, saying “everything was clumsy” as the striker’s international future comes under question.

Ronaldo endured a tense period during the most recent international break and left Portugal’s training camp without warning. The incident followed reported tensions with the national-team manager and could bring forward the end of the 40-year-old’s international career.

The former Morocco manager said Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football meant the situation required particularly careful management.

“Much of the standing that many Portuguese players and Portuguese football have enjoyed is because of Ronaldo,” Regragui told Canal Football Club. “That does not give him the right to do anything he wants, but I think everything was clumsy towards the end.

“I think he was someone they should have spoken to. What is more, the manager had him at his club, Al Nassr. I think they shot themselves in the foot, and that is a shame.”

Ronaldo has been a central figure for Portugal for almost two decades and is widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest players. However, his recent difficulties with the national side have raised questions over whether his international career is approaching its conclusion.

Regragui also compared the way Ronaldo has been treated in Portugal with Lionel Messi’s status in Argentina, arguing that the latter has benefited from stronger support among supporters and players.

“What bothers me in Ronaldo’s case is that this would never have happened in Argentina,” he said. “The worship the Argentines have for Messi, the players’ feeling towards Messi and what I experienced – the Portuguese have never had that for Ronaldo.

“The Argentines accepted it with Messi, even at the last World Cup. In Portugal, I have the impression they never accepted it.”

Messi has announced his retirement from international football. Although the latest events involving Ronaldo have prompted speculation that he could also leave the Portugal team, the Al Nassr forward has not made any official announcement that he is ending his international career.