Now 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to extend his glittering football career, but things have seemingly turned sour on the international front.
The Portugal star abruptly quit national team camp ahead of their recent road match against Denmark after a falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo claimed the rift was started because Jesus failed to keep promises he made to the all-time leading international goal scorer with regards to in-game warmups and a recent press conference, but it also appears that much of this stems from Ronaldo’s significance within the squad being reduced by the new head coach.
Now, an old video clip of Ronaldo speaking to reporters 15 years ago has been widely shared in recent days, as it shows the superstar’s ego has come full circle.
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo releases statement on why he left Portugal camp, apologizing for error
Young Cristiano Ronaldo clip resurfaces
A video has resurfaced on social media of a young Cristiano Ronaldo in 2011 speaking about what it means to be on national team duty.
Specifically, in the fall ahead of a Euro 2012 qualifying match against Cyprus, Ronaldo was asked about manager Paulo Bento’s decision to drop famous defender Ricardo Carvalho.
It was a situation similar to Ronaldo’s current meltdown with the Portugal national team. Carvalho left Portugal training camp on his own after learning he would not be starting against Cyprus, instead replaced by Pepe and Bruno Alves at the back.
“No one has a guaranteed place on the team,” Ronaldo responded. “There are no places reserved for anyone. Whoever is performing the best will play. The coach knows better than anyone.”
Ronaldo would go on to score two goals and assist another in a 4-0 victory over Cyprus, while Carvalho was axed from selection and would not be called in for another three years. Carvalho would crash out over the situation, announcing his retirement from international duty at 33 years old, which caused Bento to brand him a “deserter.”
When Bento was sacked in September of 2014, Carvalho was immediately brought back into the fold by new boss Fernando Santos, until his full retirement two years later.
🚨Cristiano Ronaldo in 2011 after Ricardo Carvalho left the Portugal camp because he wasn’t starting: “No one has a guaranteed place. The coach decides” 15 years later…Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal’s camp because Jorge Jesus didn’t play him. https://t.co/SamMrp0kGk
— Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) October 6, 2026
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo being branded as hypocritical?
Fans have now tracked down the quote recently resurfaced now because it seemingly shows how Cristiano Ronaldo could hold others accountable for quitting the Portugal national team over playing time, but then did the same thing himself years later.
Ronaldo confirmed that he believed “broken promises” were the reason he departed national team camp suddenly, but many felt it had more to do with his lack of playing time under new manager Jorge Jesus, who left Ronaldo as an unused substitute during the 2-1 victory over Norway in late September.
It was only the fourth time in Ronaldo’s entire international career that he was named amongst the substitutes but did not come on to make an appearance, and only the second time since the summer of 2008.
Thus, Ronaldo has now apparently done exactly what Riccardo Carvalho pulled years earlier, when Ronaldo seemed to back the head coach at that time. Now, when the coach stands firm against his own antics, he seems to want special treatment.
In fairness, Ronaldo issued an apology to his teammates and the Portugal fans, and said he will accept any punishment he is given for his actions, especially given that he is national team captain.
