Former Manchester United star Nani spoke about a conversation with Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo that took place after Ronaldo's decision to leave the Portugal national team became final.
"I can accept criticism, but I cannot come to terms with the idea that everything I gave to Portugal suddenly means nothing."
This was how Nani described Ronaldo's emotional state during a phone call after he departed from the national team's camp.
Nani admitted he was shocked by the news and directly asked his former teammate if he truly intended to leave the national side in such a manner.
"I spoke to Cristiano after everything that had happened and asked him: 'Bro, are you really going to leave Portugal like this?' He didn’t answer right away. Then he said: 'Nani, you know me. I can handle being benched. I can take criticism. But I can’t accept feeling like everything I’ve given for Portugal suddenly means nothing,'" Nani relayed.
“He wanted respect for what he can still give to the team”
Nani believes that Ronaldo's conflict with coach Jorge Jesus stemmed not so much from tactical decisions, but from a lack of open communication.
The former winger stressed that Ronaldo can accept the manager's decisions—even if they irritate him. However, the situation shifts when a player feels they are no longer valued by the team.
"I know Cristiano. We’ve played together since our youth, and I understand how competitive he is. If the manager tells him: 'Cristiano, you’re not playing today because I have a different tactical plan,' he might get annoyed, but he’ll understand. But if you make him feel unwanted—that’s a completely different story," Nani explained.
He also recalled Ronaldo's perspective on his role within the national team.
"He told me: 'Nani, I never asked Portugal to play me just because of my past achievements. I just wanted respect for what I can still give.'"
This particular comment struck a chord with Nani, as he felt Ronaldo was not looking for privileges due to his name, but rather wanting to know that the national team still believed in his abilities.
Ronaldo open to generational change
The discussion also delved into the potential desire from the coaching staff to hand more responsibility to younger players. Nani suggested that Jorge Jesus might be preparing the team for a new phase of development.
According to him, Ronaldo did not oppose such a prospect but insisted on maintaining respect for the legacy of the national team.
"I told him: 'Perhaps Jorge wants to build a new Portugal team. He may want the young ones to take on more responsibility.' He replied: 'Let that be the case. I will never stand in their way. But you cannot build the future while disrespecting the past,'" Nani shared.
“Portugal must remember what it owes to Ronaldo”
In conclusion, Nani further emphasised that he believes the key source of conflict lay in the communication breakdown between the player and the national hierarchy.
He acknowledged that while the coaching staff has the right to alter a veteran's role or favour younger players, such decisions must be explained clearly and openly.
"You can tell Cristiano: 'Your role has changed.' You can explain that he won’t play in every match or that sometimes the team needs younger players. But you have to look him in the eye and tell him the truth. Cristiano can accept the truth," the former player stated.
Nani also noted that Ronaldo does not require protecting his legacy, but Portugal itself ought to remember his contributions to the national team over more than two decades.
