Portuguese legend Simões: Perhaps Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal until 49

According to Goal, Portuguese legend António Simões criticized Ronaldo for being too self-centered and sarcastically suggested he might play until age 49.

The legend, who won third place with the Portuguese national team at the 1966 World Cup, made these comments after seeing a statement released by the Portuguese captain. Ronaldo's statement detailed the controversy and circumstances surrounding his departure from the national team training camp.

According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Simões said: "Instead of continuing this conflict, we should try to find reconciliation. It makes no sense. If conditions allow Ronaldo to return, he should be welcomed back, but by everyone, not just a few hiding in the background."

He added: "There's no need for us to side with Ronaldo. I don't think he's right now, but if he admits he made a mistake, we shouldn't judge him. Give him a chance, especially for a dignified farewell befitting his status and reputation."

Simões called for rationality from all parties: "What's needed now is common sense and tolerance. We can disagree with everyone. If Ronaldo is willing, give him this opportunity. I'm not speaking for Ronaldo, nor for Jesus, nor for anyone else here; I'm defending common sense. Let them meet, talk, and find a solution. How wonderful would that be if it could happen. That's my biggest hope."

Regarding Ronaldo's personality, Simões said: "Sometimes people feel he only thinks about himself. I experienced this at the World Cup in South Africa, and I even spoke with him about it. Even then, I felt things shouldn't be that way."

He continued: "A player who has had such a career, who has matured and become a man, must find a way to think beyond himself. Goals aren't everything; the game itself is equally important. These values should all be part of him."

He added: "If he understands this, we will give him a wonderful farewell ceremony. Does he want to play? We'll have to wait and see; it depends on the coach's decision to assess whether Ronaldo still has that ability."

When asked if a 41-year-old Ronaldo could still genuinely help the Portuguese team, Simões replied: "I have some doubts about that. This requires much more than just being 'useful,' and one must be careful about what they say. At 41, you have to understand that you might only be useful at certain moments of the game, and the prestige associated with his name also has an impact, which the coach will have to manage."

He added: "If he wants to play, there's no harm in that, but he must understand that wanting to play doesn't mean playing the full match."

Regarding potential penalties Ronaldo might face after leaving the national team training camp, Simões said: "It depends on the applicable regulations. First, we need to clarify what happened, and there are many types of penalties. Let them talk it out first, and if both parties need to apologize to each other, then they should."

He continued: "What a wonderful message of citizenship they could have sent to Portugal. There are intense emotions on both sides. Don't they want to take a step back? If only one side is willing, it's impossible."

Simões denied that Ronaldo's absence affected his teammates: "When I watched that game, I felt the team was completely unaffected—nothing at all, zero. The team played well and won."

He emphasized: "This doesn't mean Ronaldo should be excluded from the national team, but he can play a role without starting, and there's no need to play the full 90 minutes."

He then said sarcastically: "It seems unreasonable that Ronaldo is the player with the most minutes under Roberto Martinez. After he scores his 1000th goal, Cristiano Ronaldo will continue playing for the national team until he's 49."

Simões made these comments while discussing the planned World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Previously, he had also compared Ronaldo to legends such as Eusébio and Maradona.

Regarding Jorge Jesus' decision to have Ronaldo warm up without playing him, Simões stated: "I don't want to get involved in this debate, because Jesus has every right to have Ronaldo warm up for one minute or 30 minutes; he is the coach."

He added: "Why should he receive special treatment? His status is indeed different, but isn't he part of the team? Stop talking about this and stop sensationalizing it."

He continued: "He can do whatever he wants; the problem lies with the person doing it. We all reach an end."

Simões also recalled working with several football legends: "I played alongside Eusébio, known as 'the King,' and I experienced the eras of Pelé and Maradona. In my life, I've never seen anything like this happen around a 'King'."

He concluded by asking: "A 41-year-old man is still playing football... shouldn't he stop?"

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com