Cristiano Ronaldo's astonishing criticism of certain Portuguese players

This Monday evening, on the occasion of the Quinas de Ouro Gala organized by the Portuguese Football Federation, Cristiano Ronaldo recalled his love for the Portuguese national team, also addressing a surprising reproach to certain ex-teammates of the Seleção.

The event could not take place without him. A few days before the Seleção returns to play in the Nations League, the emblematic captain of the Portuguese national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, was presented with a trophy rewarding his 200 appearances in the Portuguese jersey, on the occasion of the Quinas de Ouro gala. A great distinction, which allowed him to express his love for this national selection.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his 200 caps

With now 216 caps on the clock, Cristiano Ronaldo is the first to have passed the symbolic bar of 200 caps for Portugal. The one who revealed himself at Euro 2004 more than 20 years ago is well ahead of a certain João Moutinho and his 146 caps. A monumental milestone, which earned an honorary title for the current Al-Nassr player.

“It's curious, because when I arrived in the national team at 18, I only had one dream: to take my first steps in the Portuguese jersey. Then I aimed for 25 matches, then 50, which is a level that all players consider to be important. And so I said to myself, why not 100? A round, three-digit number. After that, I started thinking about 150, 200… for me, it’s something big”he said during the Quinas de Ouro ceremony.

The national team above all

During this speech, Cristiano Ronaldo also recalled the importance he attaches to this selection. “I would like to take this opportunity to say, especially here, to my teammates, that after playing for so many clubs, winning so many trophies, Champions League, Ballons d'Or… that I don't think that there is something better than representing your selection. Playing, representing the whole country, the whole culture, your children, your mother, your father, your best friends…”he continued.

More surprising: the captain of the Seleção then attacked certain former internationals who had decided to give up on the national team. “This is why I am often disappointed by certain players who do not want to represent the national team”launched Cristiano Ronaldo. A reproach, which could be linked to the recent international retirements made by players like Rafa Silva or João Mario, both having chosen to continue their club careers without returning to the Seleção in the future.

A speech that we can still find surprising, to the extent that the five-time Ballon d'Or had himself acted in this way in the past. After the 2018 World Cup and Portugal's defeat in the round of 16 against Uruguay, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to take a break of more than six months with the Seleção, thus missing the entire group stage of the first History Nations League. The Portuguese then returned for the start of qualifying for the Euro, as well as the Final Four of the same Nations League, during which he won the second international trophy of his incredible career. Do as I say, not as I do?

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