Cristiano Ronaldo made a dramatic exit from the Portugal lineup following their clash with Slovenia on Tuesday, where his side suffered a 2-0 defeat.
The friendly loss marked Portugal’s first under the management of Roberto Martinez, who had previously overseen an impressive streak of 13 consecutive victories, during which they scored a remarkable 49 goals.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo hastily stormed down the tunnel in a visibly agitated state, gesturing angrily towards someone or something, leaving spectators and teammates bewildered by his abrupt departure.
Reports suggest that Ronaldo had previously lost his starting position to Ramos during the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar, only to be reinstated by Martinez. However, tensions within the team seem to have escalated following remarks made by Ronaldo’s teammate, Joao Cancelo.
Cancelo expressed his belief that the team no longer relies solely on Ronaldo’s prowess, particularly as he is perceived to be past his prime. In a candid statement, Cancelo remarked, “He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d’Or, but the peak of a footballer’s career is between the ages of 25 and 32. He is an important player for us, but the national team does not depend entirely on him.”
The comments from Cancelo shed light on potential rifts within the Portuguese national team and raise questions about Ronaldo’s role and influence moving forward. As speculation mounts over Ronaldo's future involvement and leadership within the team, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate dynamics at play within top-tier football squads.
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