Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn the curtain on his international career with Portugal, and one of the first big names to react was his old Real Madrid teammate, Sergio Ramos. The former Spain defender did not write a long essay. Instead, he went for a mix of banter and respect that many football fans will recognise from the pair's years together in Madrid.
According to Daily Post Nigeria, Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, announced his retirement from the Portugal national team on Thursday. Ramos responded in the comment section of Ronaldo's Instagram post, and the comment was later shared on X by the @MadridXtra account.
What Ramos wrote
Ramos wrote under Ronaldo's post: "Oh, really...?? Ahahahah. What a legend; time to enjoy other things in life."
The opening line reads like a friendly tease, almost as if Ramos was pretending to be surprised that his old colleague was finally stepping away from Portugal duty. But the second half of the message turns sincere, calling Ronaldo a legend and encouraging him to enjoy life beyond the international game. Daily Post described the comment as a joke combined with a warm tribute.
A partnership built on trophies
The bond between the two goes back to their time at the Santiago Bernabeu. As teammates at Real Madrid, Ramos and Ronaldo lifted the UEFA Champions League four times together, a run that made them two of the most decorated figures of that era of European football.
Their international rivalry also added spice to the friendship. Ramos represented Spain while Ronaldo led Portugal, two neighbours with a long footballing rivalry on the Iberian Peninsula. That history makes the Spaniard's playful response to Ronaldo's Portugal farewell all the more fitting.
Retirement follows row with Jorge Jesus
Ronaldo's decision did not come in a quiet period. Daily Post reported that the retirement comes only weeks after the forward fell out with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, a dispute that reportedly ended with Ronaldo being fined and handed a 30-day suspension.
The report did not spell out the full details of the disagreement, and it did not state whether the row directly influenced Ronaldo's choice to walk away from the national team. Ronaldo's own reasons, as given in his Instagram post, were not quoted in the report.
Why it matters to fans
For millions of football lovers, including the huge Ronaldo fan base in Nigeria, the end of his Portugal career marks the close of a major chapter. He remains active at club level with Al-Nassr, so fans will still see him play, just not in the red and green of Portugal. Ramos's short message, part laugh and part salute, captures the mood many supporters are likely feeling: a little disbelief, and a lot of respect.
