Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo disrespected his country due to incidents like walking out on the Portugal camp, but still deserves to be celebrated as his career approaches its end.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel noted that Ronaldo has a massive ego and admitted he was never personally a fan of him, yet emphasized that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner commands respect for his historic career.

The commentary follows Ronaldo’s recent apology for leaving the national team training camp, an action Mikel and others view as a blemish on an otherwise unmatched career.

Despite those controversies, Mikel believes fans and the football community should celebrate Ronaldo’s achievements rather than focus solely on late-career friction.

"The last thing you will do is to walk out of your national team or your football club as a captain, as someone everybody looks up to," Mikel said.

"It just takes away everything you stand for. I do not care what deal he had with the manager or not.

"We should be celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo now towards the end of his career.

"He has given so much to football. Even if you are not a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, you cannot deny what he has done for the game."