João Cancelo has reportedly questioned why Cristiano Ronaldo did not receive the same level of public recognition from Portugal teammates that Lionel Messi received from Argentina players following his retirement announcement.

Cancelo allegedly pointed to the emotional tributes shared by Argentina internationals when Messi announced his international retirement, noting that several players posted pictures and heartfelt messages celebrating his contribution to the national team.

However, he suggested that Portugal's reaction to Ronaldo's announcement was noticeably different and argued that genuine appreciation cannot be demanded from teammates.

While acknowledging Ronaldo's extraordinary achievements, including his goals, records and contributions to Portuguese football, Cancelo reportedly stressed that individual success should not overshadow the importance of teamwork.

He also allegedly raised concerns about Ronaldo's personality, suggesting that the forward's focus on personal achievements, recognition and his status as one of football's greatest players could sometimes overshadow collective responsibilities.

Cancelo contrasted this with Messi, whom he described as someone who allows his performances to speak for themselves without constantly seeking attention.

He further argued that being a country's greatest footballer does not automatically make someone its greatest teammate.

However, the reported comments have not been independently verified, and their authenticity remains uncertain.

https://x.com/centreGoalHQ/status/2119013893662019915