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Cristiano Ronaldo is not going out quietly. That much is abundantly clear.
The 41-year-old icon's stormy exit from the Portugal national team is merely the latest chapter in his steadfast refusal to play anything but the starring role, with the twilight of his career dotted by a string of increasingly petty (yet undeniably entertaining) feuds, distractions and outbursts.
When Ronaldo finally reaches 1,000 career goals and siuuuuus off into retirement—shirt off, abs on full display—we will naturally remember the silverware, the acrobatics, the breathtaking moments... But we will also remember the meltdowns, for they too form a significant part of his legacy in the sport.
Ranking Cristiano Ronaldo's Biggest Meltdowns
7. Serbia Goal Not Given (March, 2021)
Ronaldo believed he had snatched victory in a tense World Cup qualifier against Serbia deep into stoppage time, slipping in to slot past the goalkeeper, only for defender Stefan Mitrović to hack the ball away from what was clearly behind the goal line.
With no VAR available to intervene, the referee allowed play to continue, sending Ronaldo into a rage. The Portugal skipper hurled his armband to the turf after picking up a booking for dissent—a gesture that drew considerable criticism back home.
He later took to social media to justify his behavior, writing: "There are difficult moments to handle, especially when we feel that an entire nation is being wronged."
U O.K. hun?
6. Nani Gets in the Way (November, 2010)
That was far from the first time the armband had been on the receiving end of Ronaldo's frustration.
During a 2010 friendly against neighboring rivals Spain, the then-Real Madrid star weaved brilliantly through the defense and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Iker Casillas for what would have been one of the finest international goals ever scored... Had Nani not lunged in to head it over the line from an offside position.
The goal was rightly disallowed and Ronaldo performed a peculiar little shuffle before sending his armband crashing into the Lisbon turf.
Portugal ultimately triumphed 4–0 and Nani sheepishly told the press he hadn't meant to do it and was deeply, deeply sorry, though neither admission was likely to have cut short Ronaldo's brooding.
5. Arbeloa Gets in the Way (April, 2015)
One thing we've established is that Ronaldo absolutely cannot stand anyone stealing his goals.
Future Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa discovered this the hard way during a routine victory over Almería late in the 2014–15 campaign, when the defender prodded home a cross into the box, nudging ahead of Instagram's most-followed athlete, who had been perfectly positioned at the back post to add to his personal tally.
While the rest of the Real Madrid squad celebrated the novelty of an Arbeloa strike, Ronaldo furiously hammered the ball back into the net with a thunderous expression on his face.
"I'm not bothered by Cristiano's reaction," Arbeloa lied after the final whistle.
4. Everton Phone Smash (April, 2022)
Ronaldo's return to Manchester United in 2021 was far from the triumphant homecoming many had envisioned.
The striker was still finding the net regularly throughout the 2021–22 season, but was unable to guide United toward any silverware, as tensions both on and off the pitch continued to simmer.
A deflating 1–0 loss away at Goodison Park proved to be the breaking point for Ronaldo, who was filmed knocking a phone out of a young supporter's hands as he made his way down the tunnel after the final whistle.
He subsequently received a two-match suspension for the incident and was even cautioned by police. Naughty naughty.
3. Dropped at the World Cup (December, 2022)
Perhaps the moment everything shifted for Ronaldo.
Right up until the 2022 World Cup, you could still make a credible argument that Ronaldo remained among the elite strikers in the game and warranted his spot in Portugal's starting eleven. Once the Qatar tournament kicked off... that case became far more difficult to make.
The then-37-year-old managed just one goal (from the penalty spot) in the group stage and was substituted by manager Fernando Santos during a 2–1 defeat to South Korea—an indignity he handled with his trademark absence of grace and composure.
Ronaldo sulked, slouched and hung his head on the bench, prompting Santos to say of his captain's behavior after the match: "I didn't like it, not at all. I didn't like it."
Santos then dropped Ronaldo for the round of 16 tie against Switzerland, with replacement forward Gonçalo Ramos responding by netting a hat trick. Oops.
2. Norway Walkout (September, 2026)
The most recent addition to Ronaldo's tantrum collection is a significant one.
After being left on the bench (the horror) by manager Jorge Jesus during a Nations League victory over Norway, the 41-year-old went into full meltdown mode.
Following talks with the Portugal FA that resolved absolutely nothing, Ronaldo stormed out of the national team camp, posting on social media: "In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure."
Portugal went on to defeat Denmark 4–2 in their next fixture without Ronaldo in the squad, and Jesus has since shown no signs of backing down.
Reports indicate Ronaldo may have already featured for Portugal for the last time—a deeply anticlimactic ending for one of football's all-time greats.
1. Man Utd Walkout (October, 2022)
The undisputed king of Ronaldo's grievances.
With his relationship with new manager Erik ten Hag growing increasingly fractious and goals becoming harder to come by, Ronaldo apparently decided he'd had enough somewhere around the midpoint of United's 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The five-time Ballon d'Or holder reportedly walked out of Old Trafford before the final whistle, effectively bringing his second spell at the club to an abrupt end.
A few weeks later, a bombshell interview with chief flatterer Piers Morgan aired, in which Ronaldo tore into Ten Hag and the United boardroom, while Wayne Rooney's appearance also somehow ended up in the crossfire.
Morgan, naturally, pushed back with full enthusiasm, telling Ronaldo at one point: "I know about your aftershave, I use it, it's very successful, I have to say. People say 'Ooh, you smell like Cristiano.'"