António Simões has delivered a strong message to Cristiano Ronaldo after his Portugal controversy, questioning whether the captain still brings enough value and urging him to end his international career with dignity.

Portugal legend brutally criticises Ronaldo after national team drama

Cristiano Ronaldo has received one of the strongest criticisms yet following his recent drama with the Portugal national team.

Portugal legend António Simões has openly questioned Ronaldo’s attitude, his role in the team and whether the superstar should continue receiving special treatment.

Simões, who helped Portugal finish third at the 1966 World Cup, also suggested Ronaldo should look at Lionel Messi’s recent farewell with Argentina as an example.

His comments have added another major voice to the growing debate surrounding Ronaldo’s international future.

Simões says Ronaldo was wrong

Simões made it clear that he does not fully support Ronaldo following the recent dispute involving Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.

He said Ronaldo was not right in the situation and stressed that even the biggest players must accept the decisions made by their coach.

For Simões, Ronaldo’s legendary status should not place him above the rules of the national team.

However, the former Portugal star also believes the situation should not end with Ronaldo being attacked forever.

He called for common sense and suggested that Ronaldo, Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation should find a way to solve the problem.

‘Sometimes he only thinks about himself’

One of Simões’ strongest criticisms focused on Ronaldo’s attitude.

The Portugal legend suggested that Ronaldo can sometimes give the impression that he is too focused on himself and his personal targets.

Simões explained that football should not be only about scoring goals or reaching individual records.

He believes the interests of the team must always come first, especially at international level.

That message is particularly important because Ronaldo is still chasing major personal milestones, including his famous target of 1,000 career goals.

Questions over Ronaldo’s value to Portugal

Simões also raised doubts over whether Ronaldo still provides the same level of value to the national team.

He admitted that Ronaldo can still be useful because of his experience, reputation and ability to influence important moments.

But he does not believe that should automatically guarantee Ronaldo a starting place or 90 minutes in every match.

According to Simões, the coach must be free to decide when and how Ronaldo should play.

Why should Ronaldo receive special treatment?

Simões also defended Jorge Jesus’ right to make difficult decisions.

If the coach asks Ronaldo to warm up but later decides not to bring him into the match, Simões believes the player must accept that decision.

He questioned why Ronaldo should receive different treatment from the rest of the squad.

For Simões, no player should have more power than the coach, regardless of his achievements.

Simões brings up Eusébio, Pelé and Maradona

The former Portugal international also compared Ronaldo’s situation with some of football’s greatest legends.

Simões played alongside Eusébio and also lived through the eras of Pelé and Diego Maradona.

He said he had never seen a situation like the current one surrounding Ronaldo.

The comparison has attracted major attention because Simões comes from one of the most famous generations in Portuguese football history.

Messi used as an example for Ronaldo

One of the most interesting parts of Simões’ comments involved Lionel Messi.

Messi recently ended his Argentina career with an emotional farewell match in front of more than 85,000 supporters.

Simões suggested Ronaldo should also try to close his international career in a respectful and memorable way.

He believes Ronaldo deserves a proper farewell because of everything he has achieved for Portugal.

But for that to happen, Simões feels both sides must find a solution to the current conflict.

Ronaldo future remains uncertain

Ronaldo’s international future has become one of the biggest stories in Portuguese football.

His recent problems with the national team have created debate over whether he will return and what role he could have if he does.

Simões believes Ronaldo can still contribute, but only if he accepts that his role may no longer be the same as before.

For the Portugal legend, the team must now be more important than any individual record.

Pressure continues to grow

Simões’ criticism adds even more pressure to a situation that has already divided supporters and former players.

Ronaldo remains the greatest goalscorer in Portugal history and one of the most important players the country has ever produced.

But questions over his role, his relationship with the coach and the way his international career could end are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Simões’ message is clear: Ronaldo deserves respect for his incredible career, but he must also accept that no player can be bigger than the national team.

And after watching Messi receive an emotional goodbye from Argentina, Portugal may now face the difficult task of finding the right ending for their own greatest star.