Lothar Matthaus says Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal exit was about more than Jorge Jesus

Lothar Matthaus believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s training camp was caused by deeper tensions than a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The former Germany international also doubts Ronaldo will wear the Portugal shirt again, suggesting the forward’s relationship with his team-mates had deteriorated and that he deserved a more dignified farewell from international football.

Jesus opened the door to a possible reconciliation after Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, inviting Ronaldo to discuss a return to the national team.

“For me, Cristiano would be a player worthy of being included in the next squad, provided he plays for Al-Nassr and wants to return to the national team,” Jesus said.

“For the two sides to reach an agreement, they need to talk and understand each other. This does not depend on me alone.”

Matthaus, however, does not believe the situation was simply a dispute between Ronaldo and the coach. He said the forward may no longer have the backing of his colleagues and argued that his departure should have been handled differently.

“He has had a wonderful career and I congratulate him with all my heart,” Matthaus said in comments reported by A Bola.

“He has given so much to football and we can only be grateful to him. Perhaps that is exactly why his departure from the national team should have been more dignified. He did not deserve this.”

The Bayern Munich legend hopes Ronaldo and Jesus can eventually resolve their differences, but believes the difficulties extend beyond the player’s position in the team.

“I hope that, in the end, they can look each other in the eye,” Matthaus said. “Because, in my opinion, the problem is not limited to the coach and keeping him on the bench. I believe Ronaldo no longer has the support of his team-mates.”

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp before the match against Denmark in Copenhagen, which Portugal lost 4-2. He travelled by private plane to Madrid before flying to Riyadh on Sunday to join Saudi club Al-Nassr.

The departure followed Jesus’ suggestion that Ronaldo could be considered for Portugal again if he continued playing for Al-Nassr and wanted to return to international football. However, Matthaus’ comments indicate he sees the situation as a wider breakdown involving both the coach and Ronaldo’s fellow players.