The world of football is in turmoil after Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly reacted strongly to the controversial statement of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. In a recent interview, Zidane is said to have said that Ronaldo “is becoming a barrier for the younger generation” and should “step back to make way for new talents”.

These words immediately angered the Portuguese superstar. Just a few hours after the information spread, Ronaldo posted a response on social media with an extremely strong and confident tone:

“I was, am and will always be a shining star. Without me, football could not develop as it is today. I have devoted my efforts, passion, and even my money to help this sport go further.”

This statement quickly created an “earthquake” in the fan community. One side believes Ronaldo has every right to be proud of what he has achieved — from five Ballon d’Ors, hundreds of record goals to his role as a global icon. But the other side believes he is becoming too arrogant, even “self-deifying”.

Zidane and Ronaldo had a very good relationship when they worked together at Real Madrid, where they conquered three consecutive Champions League titles. However, according to many sources, the relationship between the two has been cracked since Ronaldo left the club. Zidane’s recent comments are considered the “last straw”, making Ronaldo unable to keep quiet.

In the rest of the post, Ronaldo emphasized that he “still has passion, still trains every day and can still play at the highest level”. He believes that others wanting him to “retire” is a manifestation of jealousy and disrespect for the great contributions he has made to world football over the past two decades.

“I have inspired millions of people around the world. I don’t need anyone’s permission to continue. I’m not stopping the younger generation — I’m just showing them the standard of greatness.”

Immediately after this statement, social media was flooded with mixed comments. Ronaldo’s loyal fans expressed their absolute support, affirming that “CR7 deserves respect.” Meanwhile, others criticized him for being “too arrogant and not humble.”

Although the incident is still controversial, there is no denying that Cristiano Ronaldo — even at 40 years old — is still one of the most influential names on the planet. And with a strong personality and a never-ending desire, it seems that Ronaldo has no intention of stopping, despite all the criticism from the past and present.