On October 6, 2024, during the talkSPORT Breakfast program, Scottish football legend Ally McCoist voiced his support for Portugal coach Jorge Jesus amid the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to earlier reports, Jesus had promised Cristiano Ronaldo playing time but failed to deliver, prompting Ronaldo to leave the Portuguese national team's training camp early during the recent international break. Subsequently, Jesus has not completely closed the door on Ronaldo's return to the squad, leaving room for a potential comeback but emphasizing that the decision rests with the 41-year-old striker himself.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo's form has declined over the past few years, it would still be unfortunate if his international career were to end this way. Nevertheless, McCoist stressed that regardless of Ronaldo's past greatness, he should not be allowed to dictate team dynamics.

"I think in many ways people have turned everything about Cristiano Ronaldo into a joke," McCoist said on talkSPORT Breakfast.

"I have huge admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. I think he's a fantastic player, but if I recall correctly, there are 11 Portuguese players on the pitch, not just one. And ultimately, football is a team sport."

"No matter how great Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are, they cannot win games by themselves. They may be focal points and hugely valuable to a team, but ultimately, football is a team sport."

Following Portugal's 4-2 victory over Denmark, Vitinha stated that the Portuguese team had "stepped forward" in their attacking play, which is "entirely down to the coach's leadership."

In one sense, this European champion squad is gradually transitioning into the "post-Ronaldo era," but Gabby Agbonlahor, a former Premier League striker and talkSPORT analyst, believes this superstar deserves a more dignified end to his international career.

"If Cristiano Ronaldo cannot adapt to the coach's system, he should retire from international football," Agbonlahor said. "But I understand the sentiment in Portugal—someone needs to tell the coach that 'we cannot let our greatest player in history leave like this.'"

Portugal will reconvene in November for the final international break of 2024, when they will face Denmark and Wales in UEFA Nations League matches. By then, the future of Ronaldo's international career is expected to become clearer. Regardless, this dispute appears unlikely to reach a swift and graceful resolution.

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