Zinedine Zidane Praises Cristiano Ronaldo Following Controversial Walkout From Portugal Duty

The former Real Madrid star and coach defended Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy after the forward left Portugal duty amid tensions with coach Jorge Jesus Zinedine Zidane Officiel | Facebook Zinedine Zidane has praised Cristiano Ronaldo amid the controversy surrounding his abrupt departure from Portugal duty, highlighting the forward’s extraordinary career rather than focus solely on how his international future could end.

The France head coach addressed the situation on Sunday, 4 October, after being asked about his former Real Madrid star ahead of France’s Nations League meeting with Belgium.

Zidane avoided taking sides in Ronaldo’s dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. Instead, he offered a public show of respect for the 41-year-old after a turbulent week with his national team.

‘We have to recognise his great career,’ Zidane said.

The Frenchman recalled their hugely successful spell together at Real Madrid, where Ronaldo played under Zidane between 2016 and 2018.

‘I was lucky to coach him. He helped me win many titles. I take my hat off to you, Cristiano,’ Zidane added, saying he continued to hold great respect for players with whom he had shared significant periods of his career.

The pair won three consecutive Champions League titles together from 2016 to 2018, forming one of the most successful manager-player partnerships of Ronaldo’s career.

Zidane’s comments are notable because he declined to analyse the disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus directly. His intervention was instead focused on Ronaldo’s legacy and what they achieved together in Madrid.

Ronaldo’s international future became uncertain after he left Portugal’s Nations League camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, 30 September.

The captain had remained an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, despite warming up during the second half.

Jesus subsequently said he had originally planned to give Ronaldo between 20 and 30 minutes but changed his approach as the match developed. He acknowledged that asking Ronaldo to warm up immediately after half-time had been a mistake.

Days of speculation followed over the relationship between captain and coach.

Ronaldo eventually announced his departure following Jesus’s press conference and after a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.

In his statement, Ronaldo said he would explain his reasons to Portuguese supporters ‘in due course’.

He has not announced his retirement from international football.

Zidane’s intervention adds another prominent voice to a debate that has spread beyond Portugal following Ronaldo’s walkout.

Yet his comments stop short of condemning Jesus, the Portuguese federation or Ronaldo’s teammates.

That distinction matters. Zidane was asked about a controversy involving someone he coached through one of the most successful periods of both men’s careers, but chose to focus on Ronaldo’s achievements rather than assign blame.

Jesus and the Portuguese federation have since left the door open for Ronaldo to return, although the decision now rests with the 41-year-old.

That leaves Ronaldo’s international future unresolved despite indications from Portugal that a return remains possible.

For Zidane, however, the controversy has not changed his assessment of his former player. Whatever happens next with Portugal, he believes Ronaldo’s career should be judged by more than the dispute surrounding his latest international camp at this stage of it.