Miguel Layún backs Ronaldo: “He gave us one last great lesson” | OneFootball

Miguel Layún, former Mexico international and ex-FC Porto player, reacted to the controversy that led Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the national team after a conflict with Jorge Jesus. The former full-back placed self-respect at the heart of his reading of the situation and presented the forward’s decision as one final career lesson. In a post accompanied by a photo of the Portuguese star, he said: “If they don’t value you in a place, you have no reason to be there.”

With 73 caps for Mexico, Miguel Layún ended his career in 2024, after a spell at FC Porto between 2015 and 2018, during which he played 80 matches, scored 11 goals and provided 22 assists. Faced with the case involving Cristiano Ronaldo, the Mexican chose a direct message: no one should remain where they feel their worth is not recognized.

The first reaction came as a summary of the principle Layún took from the whole situation. Without mincing words, he turned the episode into a statement about personal dignity.

“Cristiano Ronaldo taught us one thing. If they don’t value you in a place, you have no reason to be there,” he wrote.

Layún then expanded on the praise, highlighting Cristiano Ronaldo’s stature in his country’s football and everyone’s freedom to interpret the decision as they wish.

“Self-respect above all else...,” he began by stressing. “Everyone is free to interpret the situation however they want, especially when it comes to the most important player in his country’s history, undoubtedly one of the greatest ever (put him wherever you want in the rankings), who took his country to the top and, in the final stretch of his career, for me, gave us one last great lesson. If you are not valued, you have no reason to be there.”

Rather than discuss the details of the conflict, Layún preferred to focus on the meaning he attributes to Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude. His reading is unequivocal: at the final stage of a career, recognition and respect are still lines that should not be crossed.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.