Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel says Cristiano Ronaldo has tainted his legacy by leaving the Portugal camp, but insists the forward should still be celebrated for what he has given football, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Ronaldo made headlines recently after leaving the national team’s camp during the last international break following a disagreement with new coach Jorge Jesus. He had accused the former Benfica coach of lying and showing him no respect after being dropped for the UEFA Nations League game against Norway last month.
The 41-year-old has since apologised, and the Portuguese Football Federation has issued a suspension.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel said no player should walk out on the national team, least of all a captain.
“The last thing you will do is to walk out of your national team or your football club as a captain, as someone everybody looks up to. It just takes away everything you stand for. I do not care what deal he had with the manager or not,” Mikel said.
The former Chelsea midfielder also defended Jesus and said Ronaldo should know that a manager is employed to win matches and can go back on an agreement over playing time.
Mikel still believes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner deserves respect as his career nears its end saying, “We should be celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo now towards the end of his career. He has given so much to football. Even if you are not a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, you cannot deny what he has done for the game.”
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