John Obi Mikel has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for walking out of Portugal’s national team camp, arguing that the incident undermines the responsibility that comes with being a captain, even as he called on football fans to celebrate the forward’s achievements as his career approaches its final years.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Nigeria captain said Ronaldo’s decision to leave the national team camp was difficult to reconcile with his position as a senior player and a figure admired by millions. Mikel acknowledged that he had never been a particular fan of the Portuguese forward and described him as a player with a huge ego, but stressed that his personal opinion should not overshadow Ronaldo’s contribution to football.
“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.”
Mikel’s criticism centres on the example a national team captain is expected to set. In his view, a player entrusted with leadership responsibilities must consider how his actions affect teammates, supporters and the wider reputation of the team, regardless of disagreements with a manager.
His comments followed Ronaldo’s apology for leaving Portugal’s training camp. The incident prompted criticism of the veteran forward’s conduct, raising questions about how his actions should be judged alongside his achievements for club and country.
However, Mikel was clear that the controversy should not define Ronaldo’s career. He argued that football should recognise what the forward has contributed to the sport, particularly as he moves towards the closing stages of his playing career.
“We should be celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo now towards the end of his career,” Mikel said.
“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.”
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has built one of the most decorated careers in modern football, earning recognition for his goalscoring record, longevity and achievements at both club and international level. His standing in the game has made him one of football’s most closely followed figures, with his conduct often attracting as much attention as his performances.
Mikel’s assessment reflects two positions that are not necessarily in conflict: Ronaldo’s achievements deserve recognition, but his status should not place him beyond criticism. For the former Super Eagles captain, walking away from a national team camp carries particular weight when the player involved is also a captain and a role model.
His remarks therefore offer both a rebuke of Ronaldo’s reported actions and a reminder that a distinguished career should be assessed in full. Mikel may disagree with the forward’s approach, but he maintains that Ronaldo’s influence on football is too significant to be dismissed because of a late-career controversy.
