Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram account has ‘liked’ a video examining his controversial exit from the Portugal national team camp.
Ronaldo left the national team after Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus held a press conference following his decision to leave the forward on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
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Ronaldo later said he would explain the real reasons behind his departure ‘in time’.
Jesus insisted there had been no disagreement between the pair and explained that he had told Ronaldo he was considering introducing him during the second half against Norway.
Ronaldo spent roughly 20 to 30 minutes warming up, but Jesus eventually chose not to send him onto the pitch.
Cristiano liked the video of Felipe Melo saying: “I do see, and I agree with Paulo, a grotesque difference in how his teammates treat Cristiano Ronaldo compared to how the Argentine players treat Messi.” pic.twitter.com/b7BcMqgc6t
— M 🇦🇷🧉 (@fcbmessiaddict) October 2, 2026
The situation was discussed on Sportv, a Brazilian sports channel, by former Brazil international midfielder Felipe Melo.
According to Diario AS’ translation, Melo spoke about the way Portugal’s management has handled Ronaldo and suggested there is a contrast with how Argentina have treated Lionel Messi.
He said: “I see much more respect from opponents when they play against Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s wrong … nobody comes close to Cristiano Ronaldo. You can’t let him leave like nothing happened.”
Melo also brought up Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund, who appeared to have a tense interaction with Jesus following Denmark’s 4-2 defeat to Portugal on Thursday night.
The Instagram post has attracted more than 200,000 likes since it was shared on Friday evening, with Ronaldo’s account among those that ‘liked’ it.
While it remains uncertain whether Ronaldo personally pressed the like button, the reaction appears to indicate that Melo’s opinion is shared by people within the Al Nassr star’s circle.
Ronaldo has made just one public statement about the situation, confirming his departure from Portugal’s national team camp on Wednesday.
“After the press conference of the National Team coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the National Team camp,” a statement, posted to Instagram, reads.
“In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, which I always dedicated myself to.
“Now it’s time to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates, without exception.”
According to Ronaldo’s friend and El Chiringuito reporter Edu Aguirre, the forward reportedly felt ‘betrayed’ after Jesus allegedly promised to apologise for leaving him on the bench during his press conference. When that apology failed to materialise, Ronaldo was reportedly driven to leave the camp.
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma dos Santos Aveiro, also addressed the situation on Instagram, writing: “The national team deserved better structuring. The Portuguese press deserved more competence and fewer guesses.
“As for the Portuguese… well, they don’t deserve the best in anything. We are envious, contemptuous, ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything CR7!”
