Bixente Lizarazu warns Cristiano Ronaldo over ‘catastrophic’ Portugal exit

Bixente Lizarazu has warned Cristiano Ronaldo that his Portugal career could end in a damaging way if the current disagreement involving the player, Jorge Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation continues.

The former France international, a World Cup and European champion, said Ronaldo’s ego a major factor in his rise to the top of the game could become his biggest obstacle during the final stage of his career.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Lizarazu believes responsibility for the present situation rests with Ronaldo, Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation. He said allowing the dispute to continue would be a “serious mistake”, given Ronaldo’s status in the history of Portuguese football.

Lizarazu also argued that ending Ronaldo’s international career in this manner would be “catastrophic” from a public-relations perspective. He called for an agreement that protects the player’s standing and allows him to receive a farewell that reflects his exceptional service to Portugal.

The former France defender said elite players often face difficult decisions as they grow older, with the most significant challenge for Ronaldo being the need to accept that some of his physical abilities have declined.

Ronaldo has built his career on presenting himself as a player who never stops and recognises no limits, but Lizarazu believes the final phase of his international career requires a different approach.

He said the way forward was a direct conversation between Ronaldo, Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation. That discussion, he suggested, should establish the player’s role clearly whether that means playing for limited periods or being rested for certain matches.

Lizarazu warned that promising Ronaldo a starting role before leaving him on the substitutes’ bench could damage trust between the parties. He said clarity over expectations would be essential if the relationship was to be managed successfully.

The 1998 World Cup winner linked the dispute to Ronaldo’s intensely competitive personality. In his view, the player’s ego was one of the secrets of his success because it drove him to work exceptionally hard and break records throughout his career.

But Lizarazu believes that same characteristic could now work against Ronaldo if he does not accept what is required at this point in his career.

He ended his message with a severe warning to the Portugal captain, saying: “That was your strength, but it is now your worst enemy, because you have reached the age you have reached, and you will end up in the elephant graveyard, I guarantee you that.”