France head coach Zinedine Zidane has publicly backed Cristiano Ronaldo following the controversy over the Portuguese forward's reported departure from Portugal's national team camp ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures. Speaking at a press conference on 4 October 2026, Zidane offered an emphatic tribute to his former player, insisting the veteran deserves to have his career celebrated properly.

The Controversy Around Ronaldo's Camp Exit

Ronaldo, now 41 years old, reportedly left Portugal's training setup before their scheduled Nations League games following differences with the team management. The episode has intensified speculation over the forward's international future, with observers questioning whether his time in the Selecção may be drawing to a close. This is not the first time tensions between Ronaldo and the Portuguese set-up have spilled into public view, making the latest development a recurring fault line in his twilight international career.

Zidane's Tribute to His Former Star

Zidane, who worked alongside Ronaldo during one of football's most decorated managerial spells at Real Madrid, was unequivocal in his support. Under Zidane's stewardship, Real Madrid claimed an unprecedented hat-trick of consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, with Ronaldo serving as the decisive force in each campaign.

'Cristiano Ronaldo made me win incredible trophies. Hats off to you, Cris. We must salute his great career the right way. I was lucky to have him with me. I have a lot of respect for all my players and especially for Cristiano,' Zidane said.

Zidane's New Chapter With France

The former France captain is now navigating a fresh managerial challenge after taking charge of Les Bleus. His early results have been promising — back-to-back away wins against Turkey and Belgium, and a home draw against Italy in Paris, suggesting a settled start to his international tenure.

Zidane reflected on the distinct demands of managing a national side compared to the relentless rhythm of club football. 'Perhaps the difference is that at a club it never stops; it is day to day, it is very all-consuming. I loved doing that, and now I have another side to it, and I will try to do it this way, which will be a little different. But in any case, the desire to work well around my team is the same,' he said.

What's Next

With Ronaldo's Portugal future under fresh scrutiny and Zidane establishing himself on the international stage with France, the coming Nations League window will be closely watched. Whether Portugal's management and Ronaldo can resolve reported differences — or whether this marks a permanent rupture — is likely to define the final chapter of one of football's greatest international careers.