Cristiano Ronaldo, the football superstar, has subtly criticized former coach Erik ten Hag for relegating him to the bench during his tenure at Manchester United, while also emphasizing his pivotal role in the Portuguese national team.

At 39, Ronaldo is focused on achieving new heights with the Portuguese squad, with the UEFA Nations League being his immediate goal.

Upon his return to the national team, Ronaldo shared insights into his future and his crucial role. The Al Nassr star hinted at his dissatisfaction with ten Hag’s decisions and underscored his desire to always be a key starter.

Ronaldo implicitly criticized Ten Hag in his latest statement. Photo: Getty

Sharing with A Bola, Ronaldo said: “In my mind, I will always be a starter. That’s what you think. Until the end of my career, I always thought I would be a starter.

I will always respect the decisions, not only of the coaches, but also of the clubs I have played for, I have always respected those decisions… even if they have treated me badly once or twice. But seriously, as long as they work ethically, I will always respect the decisions of the coaches.

Ronaldo admitted that he always wanted to play as a starter. Photo: Getty

When there is no respect for professional ethics, there can be arguments, but that is another matter. At the moment, I feel, and the coach says the same, that I am still an important part of the national team, and I will be the first to admit that. If that is no longer the case, if I no longer contribute value, I will be the first to leave the team.

But if I leave, I will leave with a clear conscience, as always, because I know who I am, what I can do, what I have done and what I will continue to do. I look at the present very positively because for me the most important thing is to face each moment, each stage, and this stage is good, I feel happy.”

Ronaldo has been widely criticised for Portugal’s poor performances at Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup. The former Real Madrid star was benched by coach Fernando Santos in Qatar.

Ronaldo was benched at the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Getty

However, Santos was later replaced by Roberto Martinez, who has kept Ronaldo in the national team despite his poor form. Ronaldo failed to score in Germany this summer, but Martinez has insisted that the 39-year-old will continue to be a starter in the future.

In the near future, Ronaldo and his teammates will face Croatia in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League, and this match will take place at 1:45 a.m. on September 6.