Leo Junior, the former Brazilian international, called on Cristiano Ronaldo to adapt to the possibility of his departure from the starting line-up for the Portuguese national team in the coming period.
The 2022 World Cup round of 16 match witnessed Ronaldo sitting on the bench until the 73rd minute, as he contributed only in the last quarter of an hour of the match against Switzerland.
The incident represented the first exclusion of the No. 7 jersey from Portugal’s starting line-up in a major tournament since 2008.
Rumors arose in recent days about Ronaldo’s threat to leave the Portuguese national team camp in response to Fernando Santos’ decision, his coach, to rely on him as an alternative.
Junior, who played 74 international matches for the Brazilian national team between 1979 and 1992, and also participated in the 1982 and 1986 editions of the World Cup, gave his opinion.
The 68-year-old opened his remarks, stressing, “It is natural that time passes for everyone … and life is volatile, and it does not proceed at one pace.”
And the retired left-back continued, “And Ronaldo will understand this in the best way so that he can retain the great respect that his colleagues have for him.”
Junior expressed his understanding of Santos’ decision not to include the 37-year-old in his starting line-up against Switzerland.
In this regard, he said, “You should be brave enough to keep Ronaldo on the bench, and the coach did that.”