Cristiano Ronaldo has received support from former PSV striker Romário after facing criticism for leaving the Portuguese national team during the Nations League.

The Brazilian legend has defended the forward’s decision, suggesting that a reported breakdown in trust with coach Jorge Jesus explains his actions.

Ronaldo’s departure attracted widespread criticism, with the Portuguese superstar questioned for leaving the national team after remaining on the bench for the entire match against Norway. However, Romário has offered a different perspective, arguing that Ronaldo felt let down by agreements that had allegedly not been honoured.

Speaking to Portuguese media outlet O Jogo, the former PSV forward backed Ronaldo’s account of the events and questioned why the 40-year-old should have to endure a similar experience again.

Romário Backs Ronaldo Over Reported Disagreement With Jorge Jesus

Romário said he had a positive relationship with Jorge Jesus during the Portuguese coach’s time at Flamengo, having met him on five or six occasions. Nevertheless, he believes Ronaldo’s account of their disagreement should be taken seriously.

“Cristiano seems to me to be a very objective person. I like Jorge Jesus; I had a relationship with him when he was coach of Flamengo. I met him five or six times and he was always a great guy... but according to Cristiano, he didn’t keep his promises. That says something about his character,” Romário said.

According to the account provided, Jesus allegedly failed to honour agreements made with Ronaldo. The forward subsequently decided to leave the national team, a move that drew condemnation from much of the football world.

Romário, however, believes the reported dispute went beyond Ronaldo’s frustration at being left out of the starting line-up. He suggested that the forward felt his reputation had been damaged by the situation.

‘Why Would He Want To Experience That Again?’

The Brazilian made his support for Ronaldo clear, arguing that the forward had reason to walk away if the reported agreements had been broken.

“If that’s what Ronaldo says, then he’s right. Oh, but he abandoned the national team. Of course he’s been made a fool of once already. Why would he want to experience that again?” Romário said.

He also referred to alleged disagreements over what Ronaldo was expected to say during a press conference, claiming that the Portuguese forward felt Jesus had failed to follow through on what had been agreed.

“Some things that they had agreed he would say at the press conference, he didn’t say at all. According to Ronaldo, he was arrogant. He unmasked Ronaldo. He felt like a person whose reputation had been tarnished, who was completely irrelevant, and that’s why he left. If that’s the case, I would do the same,” Romário added, as quoted by PSV Inside.

While Romário sympathised with Ronaldo’s decision, he admitted that he would have handled the confrontation differently before leaving.

The former PSV striker said he would have confronted Jesus directly, explaining that he would have told the coach to “go to the moon!” before departing.

Romário’s comments offer a strong defence of Ronaldo amid the criticism surrounding his Nations League exit. Rather than viewing the decision solely as an act of abandonment, the Brazilian has framed it as a response to an alleged breakdown in trust between the forward and his coach.