Antonio Cassano does not do subtlety. On the latest episode of “Viva el Futbol”, the former Italy forward said Cristiano Ronaldo has been impossible to pick for seven or eight years and demanded that someone around him finally say so.

“Someone has to stop Cristiano Ronaldo. For seven or eight years he has only thought about himself. He has to be stopped, he cannot stand up and falls on his own,” Cassano said.

He kept going. “Portugal plays better without him. Look at Ramos, Felix, Bernardo Silva.” Cassano pointed to four goals in four matches by Goncalo Ramos as evidence that the attack has no need of its 41-year-old captain.

The walkout

Ronaldo left Portugal’s Nations League camp before the Denmark fixture on 1 October after falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus. He had warmed up as a substitute against Norway on 27 September but was not brought on, then learned the next day he would not start against the Danes.

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In a near 2,000-word Instagram statement, Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking his word twice over his playing time and said he decided to leave rather than wait for a third broken promise. He also apologized to supporters for not greeting them after the Norway match.

Jesus has not budged. The Portugal coach said he stood by the decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench against Norway.

FPF opens disciplinary case

The Portuguese Football Federation provisionally suspended Ronaldo on 9 October and opened disciplinary proceedings. Under federation rules covering players who abandon national team duty without justification, the sanction could run from one to six months, plus a fine. Details of the case remain confidential until the investigation concludes.

Ronaldo has not fought the ruling.

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“I have already apologized, but I know that actions must have consequences,” he wrote. “Anyone in football as I am knows that, regardless of each person’s status, the rules are the same for everyone.”

He went further and said the punishment should not be reduced.

Not retiring, says Ronaldo

The Al-Nassr forward also made clear he is not walking away from international football.

“If I am physically well, playing for my club, hopefully with some goals, after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo wrote.

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At club level he has kept scoring. Ronaldo notched his 980th career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 Saudi Pro League win over Diriyah on 9 October, the same day the FPF announced his suspension.

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